Mealy bugs are a tiny insect, 1 to 4 mm in length, with an oval body. They are covered with a white, cottony or pale wax secretion and can resemble a tiny cotton ball. They are part of the insect family known as scale insects, in the family Pseudococcidae, and are the least scale-like of the group because they are soft-bodied, without the outer shell associated with other insects of the scale family. Does this Spark an idea?
Identify a Mealy Bug Infestation
Mealy bugs have sucking mouth parts. When they feed off plants, the plants weaken and growth is hindered. The leaves distort, turn yellow and drop off. In some cases, plants can be killed.
The mealy bug produces large amounts of a sticky substance called "honeydew," which can coat plants and other surrounding surfaces. A black, sooty fungus commonly grows on the honeydew. This combination of fungus and honeydew can kill the plants. The combination of honeydew and the black fungus is one way to detect a mealy bug infestation.
Hints to Kill Mealy Bugs
Insecticidal soaps and horticultural oils are a great way to control mealy bugs. The mealy bug likes to hide where the leaves attach to the stem, so it is best to get good coverage in this area. Make sure when using the soaps and oils that they come in direct contact with the bug since they are not easily absorbed and circulated well by the plants. Be careful when using the soaps and oils as they can burn the leaves. Be sure to apply them when the air temperature is cool. Also, make sure that the plants are well watered the day before you apply the soaps and oils. Never spray wilted plants.
The most popular home remedy for killing mealy bugs is to swab plants with a cotton swab or cotton ball dipped in isopropyl alcohol. Do not use other alcohols, such as ethanol or methanol, as they penetrate the plant tissues and cause extreme damage.
Another solution is to mix a small amount of mild liquid dish detergent and sometimes mineral oil or neem oil, with the isopropyl alcohol. Vegetable oils will work as well but keep the plant away from sunlight as it will cause it to turn rancid quickly and lose its effectiveness. A recipe to try calls for a 1.5-liter spray bottle filled with a 50:50 mix of alcohol and water, with a few drops to about 1 tsp. liquid soap and 1 tsp. of one of the oils. Be cautious, however, as too much or too strong a detergent or use of an ammonia-based chemical may damage your plants, particularly the buds and flowers. Spraying of alcohol does not always kill the eggs that are well hidden so be sure to be thorough and repeat as necessary.
Another way to control mealy bug may be to purchase commercially available beneficial insects, such as ladybugs, lace wing or the mealy bug destroyer, which are natural predators of the mealy bug, for plants kept outside. When releasing the beneficial insects, however, control the ants. They feed on the honeydew that the mealy bugs produce and will protect them from predators to ensure their food supply.
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