I’m not sure if it’s because we have many new people moving to the area from other states, people new to gardening, or a wonderful rush of new GardenLine listeners, but I’m getting many questions like this one from Chris S. in Cypress: “Randy, I have this strange white fungus all over my hibiscus (or other plant), and fungicide has done nothing. Do you have any suggestions on how to control it?”
Well, it’s not a fungus, as many people new the area or new to gardening assume. It’s an insect known as mealy bugs. We often get “Mealy Bug Mayhem” once our high temperatures get into the 90s, accompanied by heavy rains. And I think the recent combination of heat, humidity and rain has been keeping people from regularly walking their gardens and landscapes and catching these annoying pests in their early stage.
That’s when they are easy to kill or control with a simple blast of water from a hose. But when they get as bad as pictured here, you’ve got to get on some kind of spray control, synthetic or organic.
Mealy bugs are white, soft-bodied insects that suck plant juices. And they are related to the family of insects that include scale. So, mealy bugs are a soft, cottony version of scale. They are often found nestled in the nooks and crannies of your plants, where it’s hard to spray. Most commonly they attack new growth, so they are usually found near the growing tips and where leaves join stems or along leaf veins. The bugs are covered with white, waxy threads that protect them from predators and give them the fuzzy, cottony appearance. And that’s why many calls and emails I get say the problem looks like “snow” or “a white furry fungus.”
I’m not immune to these things, either. The plant pictured above is mine. On one of my prized hibiscus, the mass of mealybugs was ignored for only one week. (I was out of town.) That should give you a good idea of how prolific they can be in the absence of a control.
While malathion is the hands-down best method for controlling scale and mealy bugs on evergreens and trees, BEWARE – it is deadly on houseplants, hibiscus, and tropical plants like the croton. NEVER, EVER, EVER spray malathion on tropicals.
Nevertheless, there are still many ways to beat this nuisance, depending on the plant in question. There are various organic remedies that will work. And even simply blasting them off with a hose every morning for a week or so can be effective. That’s what I did for my hibiscus and crotons.
As for minor infestations on house plants, using cotton swabs dipped in rubbing alcohol seems to be the best control, along with applying soapy water. But this must be an ongoing process because the bugs’ eggs are often not eliminated with organic controls. Be consistent in your care, and check bug-prone plants regularly. Remember these insects are under a protective hairy covering, and many insecticides don’t deliver complete elimination.
For highly sensitive plants that can’t take malathion, below are two homemade controls that have worked with varying degrees of success on tender foliage. You should find success with at least one of them.
The artillery plant, also known as Pilea microphylla, is a popular and easy-to-care-for houseplant. Its unique, tiny leaves make it a gorgeous addition to any indoor garden. However, like most plants, artillery plants can become infested with common pests like mealybugs. These small, sap-sucking insects can quickly damage and weaken your plant. In this article, we will discuss how to identify, control, and prevent mealybug infestations on artillery plants.
Identifying Mealybugs on Artillery Plants
Mealybugs are tiny oval insects covered in a white waxy substance that makes them appear cottony or fuzzy. They tend to gather in clusters along stems in leaf axils, and on the undersides of leaves. Mealybugs pierce plant tissues with their mouths and feed on sap. An infestation is indicated by
- White cottony clusters on leaves and stems
- Sticky residue (honeydew) on foliage
- Plant damage like yellowing leaves, stunted growth
- Ants gathering around the plant
Inspect artillery plants regularly, including under leaves and along stems, to spot mealybugs early before major damage occurs.
Effective Ways to Get Rid of Mealybugs
If you find mealybugs on your artillery plant, taking prompt action is key to saving your plant. Here are some effective control methods:
Manual Removal
For light infestations, use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to manually wipe away mealybugs Take care not to damage delicate plant tissues Repeat every few days until all visible insects are gone.
Insecticidal Soap
Insecticidal soaps designed for indoor plants can be sprayed directly onto mealybugs and leaves to kill them. Follow label directions and repeat applications weekly until mealybugs are eradicated.
Neem Oil
As a natural insecticide, neem oil smothers and repels sucking insects like mealybugs. Mix neem oil with water per label instructions and thoroughly spray all plant surfaces. Reapply every 7-10 days as needed.
Systemic Insecticide
Systemic insecticides are absorbed by plant tissues, making the plant toxic to feeding insects. Imidacloprid is one example. Use according to label directions for houseplants. Systemics provide longer control when applied properly.
Predatory Insects
Ladybugs and lacewings will feed on mealybugs if released onto infested plants. Not practical for houseplants, but can help in outdoor gardens.
Preventing Mealybugs on Artillery Plants
Prevention is the best medicine when it comes to pests on indoor plants. Here are some tips to help avoid mealybug infestations:
- Quarantine new plants before introducing them to check for signs of pests
- Provide good airflow around artillery plants
- Avoid overhead watering and prune plants for good airflow
- Monitor plants frequently looking for white fuzz or sticky residue
- Keep plants vigorous through proper care and fertilization
- Clean plants and pots regularly with rubbing alcohol and water
- Remove heavily infested leaves/stems immediately to prevent spread
With vigilance and swift action if needed, you can keep your artillery plant healthy and mealybug-free. Be sure to check for any remaining insects over the next few weeks after treatment. Consistency is vital in order to fully eliminate these persistent pests. A few extra minutes of inspection and care will reward you with a thriving artillery plant that adds beauty to your indoor garden!
Randy’s Homemade Mealy Bug Control
I came up with this formula 18 years ago for tropical plants on my back patio that were infested with mealy bugs. We just had our first child, and I was obsessed with keeping the area 100% organic. I knew soapy water worked a little, and I knew rubbing alcohol worked on mealy bugs, but only if you swabbed them. Neem oil alone was not working 100%. So, I came up with this recipe by tweaking the three ingredients.
***Warning: Test it first on the leaf of a sensitive plant to see if it works without causing damage. You should know within 24 hours if it’s safe to use on the rest of the plant.
In a one-quart spray bottle:1 tablespoon of Neem oil ¼ to ½ cup of rubbing alcohol 4-5 drops of dish soap (not detergent) Fill the rest of the container with water
How to Get Rid of Mealybugs – Part 1 of Logee’s “Pest Prevention” Series
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