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A uncouth garden plague , mealybugs can make for havoc on indoor and out-of-door plants if not kept in tick . The damage they stimulate can look similar to that of other pests , so it ’s of import to properly identify the seed before treat stirred plants .
mealy bug thrive in affectionate temperature and are most often encounter on houseplants , glasshouse - grown specimens , or outdoor landscape plants in strong mood . In colder regions , they can be present out of doors during warmer summer calendar month .
Because mealy bug regurgitate ofttimes and in large numbers , it ’s crucial to recognize the other signs so as to hold in and eradicate these pests .
On this page : What Are Mealybugs?|Types of Mealybugs|Get Rid of Mealybugs|Prevent Mealybugs|Recognize the Presence of Mealybugs|Identify Damage|Plants Susceptible|Frequently Asked question
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WHAT ARE MEALYBUGS?
mealybug are small soft - bodied insect that are 1/20 to 1/5 inch in size . The white or pallid pink trunk is oval and distinctly segmented , with a white or gray-headed cottony wax coating . Mealybugs are related toscale ; however , unlike scale , they keep back their legs throughout their life cycle . Mealybugs Australian crawl and move slowly , so will not chop-chop disperse on their own .
big female person are wingless , while grownup males , which are rarely seen , are wasp - comparable in visual aspect and are winged and fly . mealybug reproduce quickly and in large issue , making them difficult to control and eradicate .
mealybug have suck mouthparts that are used to pull sap from plants . As they give , some specie may throw in toxins or flora pathogen into emcee plant . Mealybugs excrete a sticky inwardness call up honeydew , which can cause subaltern problems , such as sooty mould or attracting ants .
TYPES OF MEALYBUGS
Long - tailed mealy bug . Photo by : AjayTVM / Shutterstock .
There are C of mealybug species , with about 300 species found in North America . Some of the more plebeian include :
Citrus mealybugsattack citrus , landscape painting shrub , and tropical or greenhouse specimens such as begonia , coleus , amaryllis , and cyclamen .
Long - give chase mealybugsare named for the tail filaments that spring up on this coinage . They choose citrus , grape , nursery stock , houseplants include dracaena , and can also impact a all-embracing range of cosmetic works .
Grape mealybugstarget grape vine vines and fruit tree such as pears and pomegranates .
Mexican mealybugsprefer to run on decorative plants including chrysanthemum , English ivy , lantana , geranium , althea , and poinsettia .
Root mealybugsfeed on the solution of ornamentals including anemone , iris , yarrow , African reddish blue , and many type of shrubs and cosmetic pot .
HOW TO GET RID OF MEALYBUGS ON PLANTS
Their out wax coating number as a shield , making it hard to eradicate mealybugs with soap or oils . These remedies are more effective on young nymph , which have less protection .
If mealybugs are present , try these tips :
Spray with water:
Keep leaves clean:
To control honeydew and jet-black mold , wipe down affected leaves with a moist textile or spray with weewee .
Introduce natural predators:
For outdoor and greenhouse environments , good insects that prey on mealybug offer natural pestilence mastery . These include lacewings , spiders , ladybird , parasitic WASP , minute sea robber bugs , and a lady beetle do it as a mealybug destroyer .
Use rubbing alcohol:
utilise a solution of 70 % isopropyl alcohol . Soak a cotton fiber ball in the alcohol and dab affected area , which will slay and kill insects . Test a little orbit first to make certain it does n’t cause leafage burn . For big infestations , a 10 - 25 % solution diluted with water can be applied with a spray bottle . recur each week if necessary .
Prune:
If the plague is localise , cut back out bear on limb and toss away in the scraps .
Use insecticidal soap:
For heavy indoor or outdoor infestations , apply aninsecticidal easy lay , such as Safer ’s . you could also make your own solution by mix 1 tablespoon of mild liquid soap such as Castile or Ivory with 1 dry quart of water . Apply with a sprayer bottle . repetition treatment if necessary .
Try horticultural oil:
Neem oilis a innate remedy derived from the neem Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . The oil will coat and choke testicle , houri and adults . repetition discourse as needed . ( scan more onhow to practice neem oil . )
Dispose of affected plants:
Sometimes infestations are too large or ca n’t be see to it even with repeat lotion of liquid ecstasy , oil , or other remedy . In this showcase , the good resolution may be to throw out the entire plant to preclude the spread of mealybugs to other works .
Avoid chemical insecticides:
Though they may see mealybug infestation , they may also drink down good insects .
HOW TO PREVENT MEALYBUGS
The most effective dick for controlling mealy bug is bar .
Keep plants healthy:
tidy plants are more able-bodied to ward off pest and diseases .
Plant selection:
select plants that are less prostrate to mealybugs .
Inspect new plants:
Carefully inspect newly purchased flora before bringing them home from the baby’s room to prevent disseminate pest to other plant life .
Check plants regularly:
Make it part of your flora maintenance subroutine to inspect plant regularly to detect problems early on on . Pay tight attending to plants that are more susceptible .
Know the signs:
search for insects or eggs on new growth and more out of sight areas . Check for works damage , honeydew , or black coal-black mold .
Apply horticultural oil regularly:
For susceptible plants , wipe down leaf periodically with Neem oil to discourage pestilence .
Avoid nitrogen-rich fertilizer and overwatering:
Nitrogen stimulates tender new ontogenesis that mealy bug opt , and may lead to increased ball production . Too much water can also lead to unreasonable fresh emergence .
Check tools, pots, and stakes:
mealy bug and eggs sacs may be hidden in these musca volitans .
Lower indoor temperatures:
Mealybugs thrive in temperatures between 70 to 90 degrees F. For houseplants that can tolerate cooler temperature , lower the thermostat to 60 degree F at night to warn pestilence .
HOW TO RECOGNIZE THE PRESENCE OF MEALYBUGS
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Look for excretions:
Mealybugs are most often find in settlement . Observe plant for white cotton fiber - like excreta , which will indicate clustering of mealybugs or their egg sack . Mealybugs are sometimes confused with other cuss that also produce waxy coatings such asscale , aphids , andwhiteflies . pull out back the cottony finishing and examine intimately to decent identify .
Examine plants thoroughly:
Mealybugs favor more obscure spots . front in leaf / stem turn joints , between two poignant fruits , on stems near the land , or around the plant crown .
Check new growth:
These cuss feed on newer plant development , which is more tender .
Inspect containers:
check up on around drainage holes of potted flora for cottony masses to observe the front of root - feeding mealy bug .
Look for sooty mold:
The appearance of black coal-black cast that develop from the presence of honeydew excretions is another index of mealybugs . Honeydew is produce by other sucking louse include whitefly , aphids , or leafhopper , so it ’s important to properly key out the germ .
IDENTIFY MEALYBUGS DAMAGE ON PLANTS
Mealybugs provender by extracting sap from plants , causing damage to plant life tissue paper . Symptoms may include stunt , yellow or wilted leaves , change form growth , loss of flower buds , defoliation , and chlorosis . Honeydew excretory product can interfere with photosynthesis and encourage a fungus call sooty mold . With extreme infestation , plants may give out .
PLANTS SUSCEPTIBLE TO MEALYBUGS
Photo by : Protasov AN / Shutterstock .
Weakened or accent plantsare more prostrate to pest damage .
Houseplantsthat mealy bug prefer include African reddish blue , begonias , dracaena , hoya , orchidaceous plant , jade plant , laurel wreath , philodendron , schefflera , clivia , and poinsettia .
Succulents , such as aloe , agave , and echeveria , are more vulnerable because of their compact shape and multi - superimposed leaf structure . Mealybugs like to hide in plant crevice , so plant life damage may not be apparent until an plague is well afoot . touch on plants may develop scarred leave and become deformed .
yield trees and cropssuch as citrus , avocado , Mangifera indica , and Libyan Fighting Group are more susceptible . Mealybug infestations may cause fruits to drop off untimely .
Woody shrubs and ornamentalscan be prone to mealybug in warmer temperatures , cause flower buds to drop off untimely . Kniphofiaand phormium plant are particularly susceptible .
Vegetable cropssuch as cabbage , cucumber , lettuce , edible asparagus , peppers , and bean may be affected .
FREQUENLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What causes mealybugs?
Mealybugs are most often introduce from infested greenhouse - grown plant purchased at a nursery or garden centre of attention . They may also be found in potting soil or on grocery store produce . cautiously inspect new plant before buy and sequestrate new houseplants for several week to check that you ’re not introducing pesterer to other plants .
Are mealybugs harmful to humans?
mealybug do n’t bite , but coming into direct contact with them can cause mild tegument temper for some people .
Why do mealybugs appear?
mealy bug are attract to certain kinds of plants and those with young fresh emergence . They flourish in tender temperatures , so will be more ordinarily present outdoors during summer , in nursery environments , or inside the home .
