By
eHow Home & Garden Editor
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things You’ll Need:
- Cryptolaemus Montrouzieri
- Leptomastix Dactylopii
- Coreopsis Plants
- Dill Seeds
- Garden Hoses
- Horticultural Oils
- Hose Attachment
- Fennel Seeds
- Cotton Swabs
- Insecticidal Soaps
- Rubbing Alcohol
Step1
Identify mealybugs by looking on the undersides of leaves and around leaf joints. These insects look like small (1/10 to 1/8 of an inch) balls of cotton. Mealybug-damaged plants look withered and sickly and may have sticky sap on the leaves and stems.
Step2
Spray a strong jet of water directly on to the affected area of the plant. The stream washes the insects off. This is the easiest way to control mealybugs.
Step3
Spray with a soap/oil mixture if the water alone doesn't do the job. Mix 1 tsp. insecticidal soap, 1/2 tsp. horticultural oil, and 1 quart water in a spray bottle. There are also numerous chemical products available for the control of mealybugs.
Step4
Use rubbing alcohol and a cotton swab to treat minor infestations. Dab the rubbing alcohol directly onto the insects.
Step5
Try purchasing and releasing a natural predator called mealybug destroyer (Cryptolaemus montrouzieri) for serious infestations. Place the mealybug destroyers directly on the infested plant.
Step6
On an ongoing basis, attract other types of predatory insects, such as parasitic wasps (Leptomastix dactylopii), that will consume and control mealybugs. Grow their favorite plants such as dill, fennel, coreopsis and brightly colored flowers near the mealybug-prone plants.
Step7
Select and plant plants that are naturally resistant to mealybugs. These include plants with a milky sap and thick or fuzzy leaves - they'll vary depending on where you live.
Comments
GreenMomma said
on 12/6/2007 Great advice. I'm always looking for a NATURAL pesticide that won't be harmful to my children, pets or environment. I just heard that spraying white vinegar on the leaves and covering plant over night with a plastic bag works...hmm..anyway, I'm on the attack tonight and will let you know what works best for my dragon tree!
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Dilute any brand of pet flea and tick shampoo with water in a spray bottle and spray, spray, spray. Saturate as much foliage, branches and base as you can. Repeat the treatment if needed. The leaves are left nice and glossy. I have used this on several outside container plants with small insect problems with great success and no harm to the plant.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 To control small infestations of mealybugs, just use a child's paint brush dipped in methylated spirits and dab onto the bugs.