Is there any really effective way to get rid of mealy bugs in house plants? I’ve tried alcohol on Q-tips, but they come back faster than I can kill them. Is it true that the eggs are laid in the soil? If so, is there anything I can submerge the pot in that will kill them? And, as a last resort, are there any house plants that have a natural immunity to mealy bugs?
I had the same problem and gave up. I resolved it by getting rid of the plants (after spending a small fortine on insecticides).
I used to work as a grower at a large commercial greenhouse, but we really didn’t have a problem with mealy bugs–the pesticides we used on average had a twelve hour re-entry period, meaning you could not go back into the section of the greenhouse that had been sprayed for twelve hours without protective gear. I guess that info doesn’t do you any good because you don’t want to be using those chemicals on your houseplants.
On a more personal level, the only plants I have experienced mealy bugs on at home are the succulent types–Jade plant, cactii, etc. I have used the q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol method, and it works if you do it every day until the bugs are gone.
I don’t know if mealy bugs lay eggs in soil. I think my plants had them already when I brought them home, and they can get them easily if you move your houseplants outdoors in the summer.
From a grower’s perspective, mealy bugs are easy to get rid of as opposed to thrips, spider mites and aphids which can be real buggers in a greenhouse enviroment.
Did a quick search on mealy bugs and the various sites I saw were pretty varied in their thinking. One site said mealy bugs are not likely to kill a plant, but are unsightly. Another said they’ll suck your cactus dry.
They also varied in their approach to treatment. One site said liquid soap solution sprayed over 3 - 4 days (use a fresh solution each time you apply) should do the trick. Another mentioned alcohol swabbed on. Another suggested Malathion or Sybol, which seemed a little extreme, not to mention possibly hazardous.
I’m a professional hired killer (although not experienced with plant pests), so may I make a suggestion? Whatever you try, you need to make regular applications. A one-shot deal is not likely to solve the problem.
The sites I visited said mealy bugs attack the stems and roots, so it’s possible they are laying eggs in the potting soil. You might try repotting your plants with fresh soil while you continue the applications of whatever you’re using. Eliminating the source is always a good first step, and even if it’s not going to help solve the problem, it’s certainly not going to hurt the plants.
FWIW, nicotine is a natural insecticide, and I’ve heard of people who treat their houseplants for aphids by soaking cigars or other tobacco products, then putting that water in a sprayer and misting their plants with it.
Good luck with your succulents.
Panache, go to your local garden center and see if they sell a pesticide with the active ingredient Imidacloprid. If it’s in a granular form, top dress the soil in the pot and water it in. Don’t over water for the next couple of days so the insecticide has time to be taken up by the plant.
If it’s in a wettable powder or liquid form mix according to the label and drench the soil. Same deal with the watering.
This stuff has very, very low human toxicity and lasts for months.