Sasha CampbellMealybugs are insects that fall among the pests that can harm plants.
You may find them on the leaves, stems, and other parts of plants [1]. They are also often confused with woolly aphids.
These insects damage plants by sucking sap. If left untreated, a mealybug infestation can ultimately kill a plant. Therefore, it is vital that you take every step to control them before it’s too late.
Identification
Mealybugs are small, soft-bodied insects with a white, waxy coating on them. Only male mealybugs have the ability to fly. However, these pests mostly crawl around and eat from one plant to another.
You will find them on outdoor plants and indoor plants, including those in greenhouses. As they feed, they excrete honeydew, which attracts other insect pests and can also cause sooty mold to develop.
The honeydew is particularly appealing to ants. The ants then protect the mealybugs from attacks from other insects.
You may find mealybugs on various houseplants and outdoor plants. The critters will attack flowers, vegetables, trees, shrubs, and herbs.
The jade plant, basil, crepe myrtle, azaleas, cactus, fiddle-leaf fig, hibiscus, and orchids are some common plants they go after.
How to Get Rid of Mealybugs Naturally
Below are home remedies and natural methods to help control or kill mealybugs on plants.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a well-known home remedy for mealybug control. Use it as a watered-down solution to spray on plants and the surrounding soil.
Mix a mild solution of one part ACV with four parts water. However, you may need to repeat this method several times, as the solution should be mild to avoid plant damage.
2. Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a killer for mealybugs and all kinds of crawling insects once they come into contact with it.
Food-grade DE is also one of the best remedies to get rid of mealybugs in the house. It works great because it dehydrates and kills them not long after.
To use diatomaceous earth for mealybugs, sprinkle it (this is a good brand) all over the plants, especially underneath leaves where they like to hide. You can also spread it around the base of plants or make a spray out of it.
3. Pruning
A good measure to help prevent mealybugs from spreading is to prune infected plants and shrubs. Pruning will also help strengthen the plants and make them more resistant to certain pest attacks.
4. Soap and Water
A soap and water solution is another home remedy to treat mealybugs. Dawn dish soap is suitable; however, we recommend using organic liquid soap for vegetable gardens.
For this homemade mealy bug spray recipe, combine one tablespoon of liquid soap with a quart of water. Shake well, and use the solution to spray the entire plant.
Soapy water will kill mealybugs by way of suffocation. Alternatively, try ready-made insecticidal soap.
5. Beneficial Insects
Careful planting of attractive flowers like marigolds and rosemary may encourage mealybug-eating insects. These predatory insects include ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps.
It is even possible to buy some of these helpful insects and introduce them to the garden to help with pest problems.
Cryptolaemus montrouzieri (mealybug destroyer) is also used to help control the citrus mealybug and other pests [2].
6. Essential Oils
Studies reveal that peppermint, citrus, and thyme-leaved savory essential oils are the most effective against the vine mealybug [3].
Lavender and cinnamon oil are other oils that repel insects. However, some oils can damage plants if overused, so be careful when using them.
For a mild DIY mealybug spray, combine 12 drops of your essential oil of choice with a cup of water. Add the solution to a spray bottle and use it on your plants.
7. Neem Oil
Neem oil is a natural insecticide and fungicide that comes from the seeds of the neem tree. When applied properly, neem oil helps to control mealybugs and many other bad garden insects.
To get rid of mealy bugs with neem oil, combine 2 teaspoons of liquid soap with 4 tablespoons of neem oil and a gallon of water.
Shake well and spray this homemade mealybug treatment on the entire plant, including the underside of the leaves.
8. Control Ants
Ants love mealybugs because of the residual honeydew they leave behind.
Therefore, ants increase mealybugs’ survival. They act as carriers for them, redistributing them around the garden.
However, there are various organic methods you can use to eliminate ants from your garden.
9. Debug Turbo
Debug Turbo is one of the best insecticides for mealy bugs on plants. The treatment is OMRI-listed and works great at controlling these fuzzy, cottony-looking insects and a host of other insect pests in the garden.
Spray this treatment all over plants and the surrounding soil. You can also use it to spray your lawn.
10. Gargoil
Another mealybug killer, Gargoil, is an organic pesticide for controlling many types of bugs organically.
The active ingredients in this product are cinnamon oil and garlic. Use it to get rid of mealybugs on houseplants, roses, succulents, cacti, and other plants.
You can also use it to control powdery mildew and downy mildew.
11. Hose Them
Another DIY remedy for mealybugs outside is to hose them off. Besides, any garden hose used with care to blast away the pests will work.
12. Repellent Plants
Plants that repel mealybugs include lavender, oregano, thyme, basil, and garlic. Grow these in and around your garden to help prevent an infestation.
Takeaway
Mealybugs are just one of the many insects that harm plants. However, you can effectively tackle the problem by employing the natural mealybug control measures above.
These natural means of controlling pests are safe and effective for organic gardening.
This is really a welcome development as all the remedies convey here is Integrated Pest Management (IPM), this will reduce chemical Application by our humble farmers. Once again u re really great