Sasha CampbellMealybugs are insects that fall among the pests that can harm plants.
You may find them on plants’ leaves, stems, and other parts [1]. They are also often confused with woolly aphids.
These insects can cause damage to your plants. If left untreated, a mealybug infestation can ultimately kill a plant. Therefore, you must take every step to control them before it’s too late.
Identification
Mealybugs are small, soft-bodied insects with a white, waxy coating. You may find them on outdoor and indoor plants, including 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 see 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 shortly after.
To use diatomaceous earth for mealybugs, sprinkle it (this is a good brand) all over the plants. Focus on the undersides of the leaves where they hide. You can also spread it around the base of the plants or make a spray.
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 insect 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.
Combine one tablespoon of liquid soap with a quart of water for this homemade mealy bug spray recipe. 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.
Moreover, it is possible to buy some 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.
Combine 12 drops of essential oil with a cup of water for a mild DIY mealybug spray. 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 appropriately applied, neem oil helps to control mealybugs and many other garden insect pests.
To get rid of mealy bugs with neem oil, combine two teaspoons of liquid soap with four 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, you can use various organic methods to eliminate ants from your garden.
9. Debug Turbo
Debug Turbo is one of the best insecticides for mealy bugs on plants.
This treatment is OMRI-listed. It works great at controlling these fuzzy, cottony-looking insects and other garden pests.
Spray this treatment all over the plants and the surrounding soil. You can also use it to spray your lawn.
10. Gargoil
Another mealybug killer, Gargoil, is an organic pesticide that organically controls many bugs.
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 one of the many insects that can harm plants. However, you can solve the problem using the natural mealybug controls 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