Skip to main content

Have a gross mealybug infestation on your plants? Try one of these remedies

Use these tips to get rid of mealybugs

Mealybugs, a common pest related to scale insects, are small, sap-sucking insects that only reach a quarter-inch in size. There are almost 300 species of mealybugs in North America alone, with more living around the world. For such a small insect, mealybugs on plants can devastate your garden.

So how can you tell if your garden is infested, and how do you protect your plants? Luckily, mealybugs are easy to identify and treat. Here’s everything you need to know about these pests and ways you can keep your plants safe from mealybugs.

Mealybug on a leaf
Image used with permission by copyright holder

What causes mealybugs on plants?

Mealybugs love plants with high nitrogen levels, soft growth, and juice that they love to feed on (citrus crops are particularly susceptible for this reason). Usually, these insects are drawn to plants that are being cared for too much as opposed to too little. Overwatering or overfertilizing your plants results in a squishy, soft environment where mealybugs can thrive.

Damage caused by mealybugs
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Why mealybugs are bad for plants

Like other sap-sucking pests, mealybugs are essentially taking the life from your plant. They favor crops with delicious flavors, sucking out the juice and doing damage in the process. Plants infested with mealybugs will start to have yellowing leaves and leaf drop, and in extreme cases, mealybug damage can cause premature buds, fruits, and veggies to fall off.

Worse yet, they don’t come alone. If left unattended, a mealybug problem can grow to the point where sooty mold fungus starts to develop. With their damage comes a weakened plant, and weakened plants are prone to other problems — ranging anywhere from diseases to even more pests. You should deal with mealybugs as soon as you catch them.

Signs of a mealybug infestation in your garden

As they cause damage to your plant, mealybugs will secrete a white powdery substance on the leaves and stems of plants. If you notice that your plants are starting to look wax-like or cottony, you may have a mealybug infestation on your hands.

A mealybug on a stick
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Can mealybugs affect indoor and outdoor plants?

Yes! They can affect both outdoor and indoor plants, so this is a pest you’ll want to be on the lookout for in all your garden spaces. Because mealybugs are warm-weather insects, they’re mostly found indoors and in greenhouses in northern climates (and rarely on outdoor crops).

When it comes to indoor plants, mealybugs are drawn more to tropical species that like warm, humid environments. If you don’t have any of those in your home, your plants are at less of a risk; however, every species and variety of plant will have its own challenges. Some tropical plants might not attract mealybugs, and some non-tropical plants might get infested with them much more easily than the rest. It’s important to familiarize yourself with every kind of plant you’re growing to know what challenges might lie ahead.

Mealybug infestation
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Ways to get rid of mealybugs on plants

You can use most techniques to get rid of mealybugs on both indoor and outdoor plants. Where possible, you want to try natural methods of removal first to cause as little harm to the infested plant as possible (as well as those in the surrounding area). If you have a mealybug infestation on any of your plants, here are some things you can try — in order of small to large infestation:

  1. Use isopropyl alcohol. For small infestations, you can soak a cotton ball in 70% rubbing alcohol and wipe the mealybugs away. This kills and removes them. Test it on one leaf before wiping the whole plant to make sure the leaves don’t burn.
  2. Wash the mealybugs away. If you don’t want to risk burning your plant, you can also use this method to remove small infestations. Test on one leaf first to make sure you have a powerful enough stream of water, and to make sure that the plant can withstand the treatment.
  3. Treat with neem oil. You can use neem oil for small to midsize infestations since you’ll still be applying by hand. It affects mealybugs’ (and other insects!) ability to feed and helps repel future problems. If they can’t feed, they’ll move on. This treatment may be best on outdoor plants to avoid the risk of the mealybugs simply moving to another houseplant.
  4. Use a homemade spray. Homemade insect sprays are great for slightly larger infestations that aren’t as easy to remove by hand. You can find some natural homemade pesticide options to use here.
  5. Introduce predatory insects. Save this method for outdoor gardens only, as you don’t want more insects brought into your home. By introducing natural predators of the mealybugs in a controlled manner, you’ll be able to curb the infestation.

If all else fails, you can try these non-natural solutions to resolve the mealybug problem: insecticidal soap or synthetic chemical pesticide. These methods have directions that you should follow as closely as possible — not only to make sure you’re using the products correctly, but also to keep your plants safe from harm as much as possible.

Mealybugs, other pests, and any diseases are nothing you want to play around with. Sometimes we don’t notice until it’s too late — and that’s only human. It happens to the best of us (even expert gardeners). But as long as you tend to the problem as soon as you notice signs of it, your plants have a good chance of surviving.

Editors' Recommendations

Kiera Baron
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kiera Baron is a freelance writer and editor, as well as a budding digital artist, based in Upstate NY. She is currently one…
9 low-maintenance outdoor potted plants your patio needs to be its brightest, most inviting self this summer
Add color to your patio with these low-maintenance potted plants
A patio with colorful potted plants surrounding a bench.

It's hard to resist the call of warm weather. Sitting outside on your patio with your friends or just a good book can be so relaxing, and adding your favorite flowers to the mix makes it even more so! Some bright colors and interesting plants could liven up this gathering spot, but what if your thumb isn't even remotely green? No problem. We've collected our 9 favorite low-maintenance outdoor potted plants for you to add to your patio. Whether you need sun-loving flowers, plants that prefer shade, or shrubs to fill the space, this guide to low-maintenance patio plants is sure to satisfy.

Have a patio that gets baked by the sun all day? Try these plants
Many of our favorite plants would wither up and die if exposed to the harsh sun all through the day. Here are some sun-loving beauties that thrive in full sun and are resistant to drought. 
Marigolds
Marigolds are one of the most popular flowering plants to place in pots on front porches or back decks. With their bright yellow and orange blooms, it's easy to see why! Not only are they gorgeous flowers, but they require almost effortless care. They prefer to dry out between waterings, and they love full sun. That means you can let them hang out in the sun and not worry about killing them if you miss a watering day.

Read more
Everything you need to know about how to get rid of ants in the garden
Natural ways to send those ants marching one by one away from your space
A small red ant

Ants are among the most (if not the most) common pests known by homeowners, lawn care experts, and gardeners. You sit down to a nice relaxing evening on the patio with your favorite snacks, and then here come the ants to investigate. They build their hills, swarm around the yard, and cause trouble when they find their way through cracks in your home’s foundation and into the kitchen.

So naturally, it may be concerning when you see an anthill forming in your garden. The strange thing about ants, though, is that they aren’t bad all the time. Before we go over natural pest control remedies and how to get rid of ants in the garden, here are some things to consider.

Read more
Does Epsom salt kill ants (and is it safe)? Here’s what we’ve found
Could this inexpensive staple really be the solution to your pesky ant problem?
Hand in a brown and white glove holding a pile of Epsom salt next to an evergreen tree

Ants play a vital role in the ecosystem, but they can also be a major pest for gardeners. While the ants themselves aren't necessarily a problem, they can protect and support more harmful pest species, such as aphids. Ants can also take advantage of damage done by other pests, exacerbating existing problems.

There are many products on the market that promise to kill ants, but some of them are also dangerous for animals, plants, or people. If you’re looking for a safer alternative to get rid of your infestation, you may have heard that Epsom salt will do the trick. Does it actually work, though, and are there any side effects you should be aware of? There's no need to keep wondering, "Does Epsom salt kill ants?" -- this handy guide will answer all your questions!

Read more