How to get rid of mealybugs Your home garden

 How to get rid of mealybugs from houseplants

When you find a mealybug problem, the first thing to do is not panic. Pests can be a frustrating problem, but they're not the end of the world. Whatever you do, don't throw away your plant without trying to get rid of them first. Follow these steps diligently and you will be able to get rid of the problem for good.

Isolation

Once you spot any mealybugs on your houseplants, be sure to isolate the plant and move them outside if possible. Although mealybugs don't spread very quickly, they are sure to spread if you have a lot of houseplants or two close together, doubling your problem.

If you can put them outside, make sure they are out of direct sun and cold temperatures. Even a few hours of harsh direct sun that your plants aren't used to can lead to more problems. Cold temperatures also cause damage, causing leaves to curl and turn black.

Those without outdoor space should keep them in a separate room and away from other houseplants.

Prune

For concentrated or less severe infestations, a simple prune may be enough to get rid of these bugs. However, pruning efficiency depends on the plant you have. For example, vines such as pothos can be pruned very easily without causing too much damage, while small houseplants with small leaves can be shocked by excessive pruning.

If the bugs are in more than one area, they may have spread to areas you can't see, including the soil. In such cases, it is better to skip pruning and go directly to the next step to avoid shock.

Washing

Next, grab your plant and move it to your sink or bath. Then, wash all parts of the plant thoroughly. If you have an outdoor space, you can use a hose to do this. The water stream should have enough pressure to wash away some of the bugs in the open areas.

The more errors you eliminate in this step, the easier the next ones will be. Cover all the top and bottom leaves and go between the stems. If you have a very delicate plant, use a gentle texture or wipe away bugs with a cloth to prevent leaf shedding.

Spot removal

Once most of the plant is cleaned, you can begin the process of spot removal. Since washing doesn't get rid of all bugs, you'll need to go armed with a cotton swab and some alcohol to get the rest off.

Dip the end of a rag or cloth in alcohol and cover any mealybugs you see. The swab is easier for this process because it allows you to get into the smallest and most difficult corners of the plant. If there is enough alcohol, insects will be killed immediately upon contact. Once you think you've got them all, rinse the plant again to wash off the insects and excess alcohol. As more bugs emerge from the woodwork, continue to remove them every couple of days.

Spray

Unfortunately, even if you're careful with bug removal, you may miss some. That's where this next step comes in. Spraying with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil will not only help get rid of those last few mealybugs but also reduce the chance of them reappearing in the future.

Insecticidal soaps to target mealybugs should be available at your local nursery or online. You can make your own using dish soap and water, but it's not as effective as targeted sprays. Horticultural oils like neem oil are also useful. Dilute according to packaging instructions before applying.

Follow up

Once you go through this entire process, don't think your work is done. Follow-up is essential to prevent the recurrence of the problem. Even a few mealybugs left in dark corners will completely take over the plant again in a month or two.

Repeat the process every few days or weeks, depending on how the plant looks. If the problem has already spread, be on the lookout for any symptoms not only on that plant but on all your other houseplants.

After a few rounds of treatment, the bugs should disappear. If you keep trying and nothing works, your only option is to discard the plant. But if you follow these steps carefully, problems are unlikely to reach that stage.

Mealybug Prevention Tips

Since mealybugs can come from anywhere, there's no wrong way to prevent them from infesting your houseplants. However, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk Here are some steps:

If you suspect any mealybug infestation in the potting soil, repot.

Wash vegetables and fruits from the garden thoroughly before bringing them indoors.

Avoid leaving your houseplants outside for long periods of time.

Wash old pots and utensils before putting them back in to remove any potential bugs.