White, sticky stuff on your plants means you’ve got a pest problem.
Here’s how to get rid of mealybugs once and for all.
Every once in a while, you’re bound to get a fewbugs on your houseplants.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
One of the most common pests you’re likely to encounter is the mealybug.
These insects look like tiny bits of waxy or fuzzy white cotton stuck on stems and leaves.
First, the pests suck juice from plants, whichweakens and damages growth.
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Mealybugs also leave an annoying, sticky residue of undigested sugar, known as honeydew.
Here’s how to get rid of mealybugs on your houseplants and keep the pests from coming back.
What Are Mealybugs?
Some mealybugs also hide in soil and on roots, making them more challenging to spot.
These insects are most attracted tocitrus treesandtropical plantssuch asfiddle leaf figsandhibiscus, but they’re not too picky.
Mealybugs can spread to other nearby plants, too.
First, isolate the infested plant or plants so the bugs don’t get a chance to spread further.
This will kill and wipe off the bugs, as well as clean away the honeydew.
Don’t forget to hit the undersides of leaves.
Try Insecticide
For the most stubborn mealybug infestations, using insecticidal soap orneem oilshould do the trick.
Repeat the treatment of choice every few days until there are no signs of pests.
Mealybugs can range in size.
They can be anywhere from 1/20 of an inch to 1/5 of an inch long.
Lady beetles, crab spiders, and lacewings can help reduce mealybug populations.
They will eat mealybugs and/or their eggs.
