Mealy Bugs

22 Comments

1. Randi - March 17, 2006 at 2:14 pm

   Mealy bug on Star Jasmine
   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.

   Reply
2. Pam - August 21, 2006 at 9:03 pm

   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.

   Reply
3. Jean M. - March 7, 2007 at 6:43 am

   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

   Reply
4. Tim - June 16, 2007 at 9:12 am

   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.

   Reply
5. SHAWMILLING LTD - September 17, 2008 at 9:35 am

   I HAVE AN OLEANDER TREE THAT HAS MEALY BUGS ON IT. I SPRAYED WITH AN INSECTICIDE WITH PYRETHRINS .50% AND PIPERNOYL BUTOXIDE 5%. IT IS DYING. HOW CAN I BRING IT BACK TO LIFE.

   Reply
6. Avril Shorkend - March 29, 2009 at 10:56 am

   Hi, I think I also have a case of white mealy bug with the white fluffy clusters in the plant joints. I have’nt seen any hatched bugs but I am struggling to get rid of them, my entire garden is infected and now my neighbour we think. The leaves weaken or turn brown and fall off leaving the stems of the plants/trees. Is it any use to spray while in the white protected cluster stage and do they persist throughout colder winter weather ? Other than cutting my plants back I think I’m doomed.

   You may need to use a stronger pesticide (systemic) that is effective and can be used in your area. A strong pressurized sprayer can dislodge some of the cotton masses. Mealy bugs can winterover in colder temperatures. Here’s a recipe for tobacco tea I found on line . I have not tired it and don’t know if it works:
   Take 3 fingers of chewing tobacco-place in a nylon stocking and steep in 1 cup of water for 20 minutes. Add 1 cup of mouthwash (antiseptic) to the tea and 1 cup of Murphy’s oil soap. Add 2 tbspns of this solution to 1 gallon of water and spray the plants. (Don’t use on edible plants). It is a strong insecticide so use caution when applying. You may have to spray several times at 7-10 day intervals. Let us know if it worked.

   Reply
7. ricknhouston - May 2, 2009 at 5:37 pm

   Hi,

   I’ve begun noticing itsy, bitsy, teeny weeny black bugs crawling around on my Mandevilla leaves … leaving behind eaten away places. No white, sticky, cottony material as mentioned for “mealybugs”, though! Any thoughts?
   RnH

   Hi Rick
   Is there any clear sticky material on the leaves?

   Reply
8. Wenhow52 - August 22, 2009 at 9:02 am

   Hi – I have 2 pineapples and it looks like something is eating them. One has already turned yellow, but it’s not full grown. Any ideas?

   Could it be racoons, or some kind of small animal? If the pineapple is yellow, then it probably ready to eat.

   Reply
9. Nancy Brawley - May 24, 2010 at 11:42 am

   I have the same black bugs on my Mandavilla….no sticky stuff are anything wrong with the leaves…but they are infested with this black teeny black bug…I can wipe them off real easy but would like to get rid of them…Please Help…Thank you

   Are they soft oval shaped bugs? like aphids?

   Reply
10. cathy doherty - June 21, 2010 at 9:57 pm

    Mealy bug on hydrangea
    Help! I have clusters of large, white, flat oat shaped things stuck to the underside of my Hydrangea leaves. this year the large bush looks weak and anemic, and some of the leaves are turning yellow. Also, this stuff is on the joints of the plant. It is not small little cotton ball like things, it is this weird, lage oat shape stuff. What is it, and what can I do about it? Thank you.

    Hi Cathy
    It sounds like mealy bugs see above article for treatment. A systemic insecticide may also work on mealy bug but check the label to see if it is approved for hydrangeas.

    Reply
11. cathy doherty - June 22, 2010 at 10:34 am

    Thank you so much, and I will report back on the results. I really appreciate it.
    Cathy

    Reply
12. anastasia03 - July 13, 2010 at 9:49 am

    Mealy bug
    i have a big balcony full of different types of plants and what started as one plant (gardenia) being infested with mealybgs has now gone to many other plants. ive tried alcohal and water and dish soap and water and nothing seems to work. now, to make matters worse, i have an ant infestation. can someone please tell me how to go about treating all of the plants that have been infected? i cant quarentine any of the plants cause they are all big in size and i have nowhere to put them. thanks.

    Hi Anastasia
    If your plants are outdoors, then spray all of them with a systemic insecticide and it should take care of mealy bugs and ants. A systemic insecticide is one that renders the whole plant poisonous so that when the insect feeds on the plant, it will die. Be sure it is safe to use on your plants and take proper precautions when using systemics.. Mealy bugs are difficult to eradicate, heavily infested plants should be discarded.

    Reply
13. BRIAN ROBBINS - September 2, 2010 at 5:29 am

    Having read the comments above, I too have suffered from mealy bug for years and never found an effective remedy. I have got a problem with it at present on my Streptocarpus. Since finding this website I have acquired a bottle of Isopropyl, but how do you use it? do you dilute it, spray it or dab it on affected spots?

    Hi Brian
    Dip a Q-tip in alcohol and dab directly on the insect. You will need to repeat applications until all mealy bugs are gone. It can be a pain but works. Another way is to make a diluted spray- 1 cup of alcohol, 1 tsp. of Volck or Neem oil to 1 quart of water. Pour mixture into a spray bottle and spray on infected plant parts. Repeat spraying every 7-10 days so you get all the insects and closely monitor for any repeat infestations.

    Reply
14. danishshaikh - May 6, 2011 at 3:34 am

    i own fields full of pomogrenate spread across 5acres of lands each… i live in maharashra in india… give me the best remeady to treat mealybugs in my pomegrante…

    Reply
15. Nancy - June 24, 2011 at 2:05 pm

    Insects on clematis
    This is the second year we have note been able to use our deck because of an infestion of small, black spider-like insects. They swarm over windows and lawn furniture! Our autumn clematis starts with white spots in the Spring then finally turns brown but leaving the veins and stems green. This process usually takes a month. Thankfully, they are only eating the clematis and flowers pots and a trumpet vine are not affected. Should we dig up the clematis and get rid of the source? Where are the eggs laid each year?

    Hi Nancy
    You may want to treat the area with an insecticide before digging up the clematis. Not sure what kind of insect you have. A local nursery or Extension office can help ID the insect and give you recommendations for treatment. If not dig up the clematis and move it.

    Reply
16. Cathy Denton - August 25, 2011 at 9:12 am

    Scale
    My beautiful whit mandella has orange/yellow bumps along the vines that i have been wiping off. I don’t see any bugs. Wondered if you could advise what this is and how to get rid of it. Thanks Cathy

    HI Cathy
    From your description, your mandevilla may have scale. Is there any clear sticky substance on the leaves and stems?

    Reply
17. Carolyn - October 24, 2011 at 5:07 am

    Is it safe to eat vegetables that had mealy bugs on them?? I just harvested brussel sprouts that appear to have mealy bugs 🙁

    Hi Carolyn
    It is safe to eat your brussel sprouts as long as you thoroughly clean them. Any missed bugs will cook away when you prepare them.

    Reply
18. pat jackson - June 21, 2012 at 3:09 pm

    I have tiny yellow eggs on my mandevilla. It is in full bloom. There are yellow eggs on every stem. Should I treat it with anything, if so what to use?

    Hi Pat
    I would treat the plant with a systemic insecticide such as Bonide houseplant insect control or others. Follow label directions.

    Reply
19. norma - October 2, 2012 at 8:50 am

    I have mealy bugs on my coleus and ficus tree. I have heard that a few drops of liquid soap in water and sprayed on plant will get rid of them. Is this true? Please explain.

    Hi Norma
    Soap and water is not strong enough to penetrate the waxy coating on mealy bugs. see above article for a suggestion.

    Reply
20. Jeff - April 24, 2014 at 7:07 pm

    My Jerusalem Cheerry tree had tje white mealy bug sacks on it. I sprayed the leaves and steams as suggested and 2 days later the leaves turned yellow and started fallimg off. The stems. Are still nice and green what should i do. This plant is a family aireloom over 60 years old i have to save. It

    Reply
21. Kayle - May 22, 2014 at 8:10 am

    hi, i know i have Mealybugs on my chocolate mint bush..theres ALOT of leaves on it and many of them have holes and dieing.i was wondering if i use the alcohol and water spray ,would the mint still be safe to eat after getting rid of the bugs?please email me with the answer..thanks!!

    Reply
22. lisa - October 6, 2014 at 7:34 pm

    I have a few Q about my confederate jasmine vines. I have brown/black hard nodules on the bark of the plant. If I scratch it off, it you can see the green bark. Also, red clusters of “eggs” on back side of leaves I can wipe off with finger and white, brown “dots” on back side of leaves I can wipe off..White stuff I can wipe off on stem and a lot of dead branches that break off. .Lots going on and I’m really sad. I’ve spent a lot of time growing and caring for these vines on a living fence. HELP!!!!!

    It sounds like your jasmine has scale, a difficult insect to eradicate. See the scale article for treatment.

    Reply