How to Get Rid of Mealy Bugs

Mealybugs destroy all parts of plants.

Mealybugs feed on and kill plants. The insects have a scaly appearance and produce waxy secretions that envelop plant soil and foliage. Under these webs, mealybugs produce their eggs, allowing for rapid reproduction. The mealybug moves from plant to plant effortlessly, destroying everything in its path. It is essential to remove mealybugs to keep your plants healthy.

Things You'll Need

• Scissors or pruning shears
• Tweezers
• Resealable plastic bag
• Trash container
• Hose
• Insecticide

Instructions

1. Using scissors or small pruning shears, cut off dead leaves or sections of the plant the mealybugs have destroyed. Remove any puffy nests or webbing from the plants.

2. Remove mealybugs from plants with tweezers and place into a resealable plastic bag. Dispose of the plastic bag in an outside trash container.

3. Spray the plant with a low-flow stream of water from an outside hose if the manifestation is too large to pick the bugs off with tweezers. Shake the plant after spraying, then inspect it. Continue spraying the plant until all the mealybugs are removed.

4. Spray the plant with insecticide made to kill mealybugs. Saturate the plant and soil, including the undersides of leaves, with the insecticide. Reapply the insecticide once a week until the infestation has disappeared.

Tips & Warnings

• If possible, isolate infected plants to protect nearby plants from infestation.

• Place mothballs into the soil of potted plants to prevent a mealybug infestation.

References

• Cactus Art: Mealybugs