Gardening Plant Problems Garden Pests

How to Get Rid of Mealybugs: 7 Easy Methods

Say goodbye to mealybugs on houseplants and in the garden for good

There are hundreds of insect species known collectively as mealybugs, nearly 300 of which are found in North America. They cause damage by sucking the juice from their host plants, especially from new growth, so luckily learning how to get rid of mealybugs and reduce or stop an infestation is possible.

Illustration of homemade plant spray for mealybugs

The Spruce / Joshua Seong

What Are Mealybugs?

Mealybugs are small, oval sap-sucking insects related to scale insects. These warm-weather bugs measure 1/10 to 1/4 inch and secrete a powdery wax substance as a protective coating.

The mealybug's coating has a white cottony appearance, making them easy to identify when they appear on the stems and leaves of plants. In northern climates, they are principally a problem with houseplants and are found in private greenhouses but are rarely seen outdoors. In warmer climates, however, they can pose a serious problem for entire crops.

Read on for seven methods that help you get rid of mealybugs outside and on houseplants.

Light vs. Moderate Mealybug Infestations

A light mealybug infestation is easy to get rid of, but heavy infestations can be more difficult. 

  • Light infestation: Light mealybug infestations are when you detect a few mealybugs and their white, cottony egg masses on the plant. The earlier you take action to get rid of the mealybugs, the less likely it will turn into a heavy infestation that will affect the plant's health. If it's a houseplant, it should be separated from other houseplants during treatments to prevent the infestation from spreading.
  • Moderate to heavy infestation: Signs of a heavy infestation are lots of mealybugs and their egg masses. You'll also see their waxy excretions (known as honeydew), which encourage the growth of sooty mold fungus, and possibly ants feeding on the honeydew. Over time, mealybugs cause the leaves to yellow and eventually drop from the plant. They can also cause fruits, vegetables, and flower buds to prematurely drop off. Moderate to heavy mealybug infestations may require getting rid of the plant if it’s indoors. For outdoor plants with more serious infestations, repeated treatments are suggested.
mealybugs on an indoor plant

The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong

Mealybugs in Stem Joint

Bosca78 / Getty Images

 

Mealybugs

Neil Palmer

7 Ways to Get Rid of Mealybugs on Plants

Method 1: Wash Mealybugs Away

  • Step 1: Dislodge mealybugs with a steady stream of water in the kitchen sink, bathtub, or shower. This is best for light infestations, as some fragile plants do not tolerate this kind of vigorous treatment.
  • Step 2: Repeat the treatment when you detect mealybugs on the plant again.

Method 2: Use Isopropyl Alcohol

  • Step 1: Soak a cotton ball with isopropyl rubbing alcohol, which contains 70% alcohol. Do not use stronger rubbing alcohol, and test it on one leaf before you apply it to the whole plant to make sure the alcohol doesn't burn it.
  • Step 2: Wipe the mealybugs off with the cotton ball, which kills them instantly and removes them.
  • Step 3: Repeat treatment weekly until the infestation is completely gone.

Method 3: Spray With Insecticidal Soap

  • Step 1: Use insecticidal soap. either a commercial product, preferably one that is free of perfumes and additives that might harm plants. Or make your own insecticidal soap by mixing 1 teaspoon of dish soap with 1 gallon of water.
  • Step 2: Spray the soapy solution on all the plant parts, including the underside of the leaves.
  • Step 3: Repeat biweekly or weekly if the infestation persists, as needed. Homemade insecticidal soap and many commercial products can be used up to the day of harvest on edibles (make sure to wash it thoroughly before consuming) but always check the product label.

Method 4: Use Neem Oil

  • Step 1: Mix neem oil, which is an organic insecticide. with a mild dish detergent and water (1 to 2 tablespoons neem oil, 1 to 2 teaspoons of dish detergent, and 1 gallon of warm water, or as directed on the product label).
  • Step 2: Spray neem oil on the plants in the morning or evening when beneficial insects are less active. The natural substance in neem oil affects an insect's feeding abilities, growth, and development, plus acts as a repellent. so it does not only harm pests. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, neem oil is safe to use on vegetables and other edible plants, as well as ornamentals.
  • Step 3: Repeat every seven days until the infestation is gone.

Method 5: Introduce Predatory Insects

Of all the methods to control mealybugs, combatting mealybugs with predatory insects is the one that takes the longest to see results but it is also the only one with beneficial side effects to your entire garden. It is not recommended if you have a severe mealybug infestation and need quick results.

Lacebugs, parasitoid wasps (Leptomastix dactylopii), and a beetle sometimes known as the "mealybug destroyer" (Cryptolaemus montrouzieri), all naturally kill mealybugs. These natural predators are more commonly used for outdoor infestations or in greenhouses.

  • Step 1: Introduce predatory insects to your garden by planting host plants that attract them, or purchase them from commercial online retailers
  • Step 2: Make sure that your garden provides a welcoming environment for the predatory insects and offers food sources and shelter. Make sure not to use any broad-spectrum pesticides, as this will kill them.

Method 6: Use Homemade Insect Spray

  • Step 1: To make a batch of homemade garden pesticide, combine 1 garlic bulb, 1 small onion, and 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper in a food processor or blender and process into a paste. Mix into 1 quart of water and steep for 1 hour.
  • Step 2: Strain through a cheesecloth and add 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap. Mix well.
  • Step 3: Spray the solution on the plant parts where mealybugs are present, including the underside of the leaves.
  • Step 4: Repeat as needed after a few days if you detect more mealybugs. The mixture can be stored for up to 1 week in the refrigerator.

Method 7: Use Synthetic Chemical Pesticide

The use of a chemical pesticide should always be the last resort and used with extreme caution Not only do broad-spectrum insectides indiscriminately kill all insects, good or bad, but they also contain substances that can be harmful to humans. Also keep in mind that the protection offered by the wax on the insects can make these pesticides less effective.

  • Step 1: Select a pesticide that is specifically formulated and approved for use against mealybugs, and if planning to use it on houseplants, verify that it is safe to use indoors. Follow the label directions on how and when to apply it.
  • Step 2: If the infestation persists, follow the pesticide label instructions for repeated application.

What Causes Mealybugs?

Mealybugs tend to be drawn to certain plants that are abundant with juices they prefer to feed on. Citrus trees are particularly susceptible, and mealybugs can pose a serious threat to some commercial crops, such as mango. Mealybugs can infest a number of indoor houseplants, particularly tropical species.

Mealybugs are attracted to plants with high nitrogen levels and soft growth; they may appear if you overwater and over-fertilize your plants. Properly watering and feeding plants does not only lowers the risk of plants getting mealybugs, it is also crucial for preventing plant diseases.

How to Prevent Mealybugs

Like most pests, the best control for mealybugs is defensive. Healthy, vigorous plants are less susceptible to infestation than weak, underpotted, and stressed plants. As a general rule, make sure your plants are healthy, and you're less likely to attract these pests in the first place.

However, mealybugs can infect even healthy plants. Often, they come in on new plants, because greenhouses are the perfect breeding ground for them. Check any new plant purchases carefully before adding them to your collection.

Many other strategies can help prevent mealybug infestations on your plants:

  • Reducing feeding and watering may sometimes prevent mealybugs since it reduces nitrogen levels and hardens a plant's growth.
  • Wiping foliage regularly with a leaf shine solution containing neem oil may prevent mealybugs on susceptible plant species.
  • With plants that can tolerate such treatment, regular spraying with hard blasts of water can prevent mealybug infestations from taking hold.
  • For indoor plants that can tolerate it, dropping nighttime temperatures to 60 degrees Fahrenheit will discourage mealybugs, which prefer more tropical temperatures.

If an infestation cannot be controlled after two or three weekly applications of insecticide, consider destroying the plant before the mealybugs spread to other plants in your home.

Mealybugs vs. Scale

Mealybugs are closely related to scale insects, but mealybugs are soft-bodied, rather than wearing the hard protective shells found on scale insects. Rather than the fluffy, cottony material, scale insects create a hard, barnacle-like coating on the leaves and stems of plants. The methods for getting rid of scale are very much the same as for mealybugs.

Scale Insects

The Spruce / Marie Iannotti

FAQ
  • How long do mealybugs live?

    Female mealybugs lay from 300 to 600 eggs, which hatch in a few days. Within six to 10 weeks, the hatched insects are ready to lay eggs, so an infestation of mealybugs can perpetuate itself almost indefinitely unless they are eradicated.

  • Can plants recover from mealybugs?

    That depends on the severity of the infestations and how healthy the plant was to start with. A weak plant that is heavily infested has less chance of recovering than a healthy plant with a minor infestation that is controlled early before it can get severe.

  • What plants are most susceptible to mealybugs?

    There are so many species of mealybugs that almost any indoor plant can be susceptible to these pests. In particular, tropical plants with softer stems and leaves are very likely to develop mealybugs. Orchids, African violets, begonia, coleus, and amaryllis are among the plants known to be especially susceptible, but in warmer climates, many outdoor plants are likely to experience infestations. Mealybugs thrive at temperatures between 70 and 90 degrees.

Originally written by
Jon VanZile

Jon VanZile was a writer for The Spruce covering houseplants and indoor gardening for almost a decade. He is a professional writer whose articles on plants and horticulture have appeared in national and regional newspapers and magazines.

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  2. Mealybugs. NC State Extension.

  3. Mealybugs. Missouri Botanical Garden.

  4. Mealybugs Management Guidelines. University of California Integrated Pest Management Program.

  5. Neem Oil General Fact Sheet. National Pesticide Information Center, Oregon State University Extension Services.

  6. Cold Pressed Neem Oil (025006) Fact Sheet. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

  7. Citrus Mealybug. University of Florida IFAS.

  8. Human Health Issues Related To Pesticides. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.