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Mealy Bugs

Filed under: — admin @ 2:09 pm


HELP! My confederate jasmine has stuff growing on it that looks like white puff paint. It is mostly on the joints, but a little on the leaves. I can not see any bugs, but the white stuff, when I move it with a pencil tip, is stringy, kind of like spiders web strings.

The white cottony ’stuff’ in the leaf axils is home to eggs laid by mealy bugs, which eventually hatch and become microscopic orange crawlers that feed on your plant. Once they reach adult stage, they develop a white waxy coating that is impervious to water and secrete sticky honeydew which attract ants. Mealy bugs reproduce in hot dry conditions, causing yellowing leaves, premature leaf drop and weak, slow growth.
To treat this problem Dip a Q-tip or small paintbrush in alcohol and dab each white mass. This will not completely elliminate the insects because they do not all develop at the same time. They are most vulnerable in the crawler stage. A repeated spray of 50% isopropyl alcohol and 50% water is a more effective way to treat mealy bugs. A pump sprayer with pressure works best in penetating the waxy coat and getting into the crevices of the plant. In addition, an ultrafine oil or Neem oil will work on the crawlers. Both alcohol and oil treatment will control mealy bugs safely indoors. Be sure to apply once a week for a month even if you do not see any sign of the insect.

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4 Comments on Mealy Bugs»

  1. Hi, I have a star jasmine living in an apartment in MT. It has started to bloom, but unlike before, its blooms are kinda brown and fall off really quickly. It also has awful little white bug things that look like trilobites. I have a terribly toxic chemical pesticide, but would really like to avoid using that, especially because the plant has to stay indoors and we have pets. Any ideas getting rid of the awful pests would be very much appreciated.

    Are these white bugs in the axils (joints) of leaves in a cottony white mass? Is there sticky stuff on the leaves? If so, you may have mealy bugs, see the above post on Mealy Bug. It will tell you a safe way to treat the problem indoors.

    Comment by Randi — 3/17/2006 @ 2:14 pm

  2. Can anyone help with more info on Mealy Bugs, I am looking for a stronger solution than alcohol and water, my office plants are all infested and these things are disgusting!!!!

    Mealy bugs are a difficult pest to get rid of because the white cottony fluff is a protective waterproof material contains the female with her egg case. The adult bug is covered with a waxy coating that is also impervious to water. The insect is vulnerable when the crawlers hatch and come out, but they don’t all come out all at once. They move quickly and are difficult to spot. Try Neem Oil, or insecticidal soap for the crawler stage once a week for 3-4 weeks. Use of both alcohol and oil is a safe control for indoor use. Persistance is the key to eliminate mealy bugs in all stages of their life cycle. You can also try a systemic insecticide. Be sure it is safe to use indoors on your plants and take proper precautions when using systemics.. Heavily infested plants should be discarded.

    Comment by Pam — 8/21/2006 @ 9:03 pm

  3. I did not cut my mandevilla back when I brought in for winter. Now it is getting new growth I but have white cottony residue that is sticky. Help! Do I cut back Now?
    Also have used insecticidal soap & washed leaves with alcohol

    You may have mealybugs-white cottony “stuff” in leaf axils that also secrete honeydew (the sticky stuff). You can cut your mandevilla back as it will help control the insect. Continue your treatment of alcohol dip and insecticidal soap for at least 3 weeks even if you don’t see the insect. More mandevilla info

    Comment by Jean M. — 3/7/2007 @ 6:43 am

  4. We also have something similar to these bugs , and would like to know what they are? Our bugs just started to appear ,literally like little white strings falling from the sky! At first I thought they were ashes from a fire, but when I looked closer they were little white fluffy strings with larvae in the middle of them! There are thousands of them and was wondering what they are and how harmful they are?

    From the description, you may have mealy bugs a difficult insect to control. See above for control suggestions.

    Comment by Tim — 6/16/2007 @ 9:12 am

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