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Q: Good day Rayanna. My name is Pamela, and I just finished reading your article in this week’s Catholic News. I have a problem with mealybugs. Do you have any natural solutions to spray the plants with? Best wishes.
A: Dear Pamela, thank you for reaching out! I am sorry to hear about your problems with the mealybug. Mealybugs are a common pest on houseplants and garden plants. Here are some effective ways to eliminate them:
Manual removal
l Use cotton swabs dipped in alcohol: dip a cotton swab in isopropyl alcohol (70 per cent) and dab it directly onto the mealybugs. This dissolves their protective wax coating and kills them.
l Pick them off by hand: if the infestation is small, use tweezers or your fingers to remove them.
Spray with a soap solution
l Make insecticidal soap: mix 1-2 teaspoons of mild liquid soap (e.g., Castile or dish soap) with 1 quart (1 litre) of water. Spray the solution on the infested parts of the plant, focusing on the undersides of leaves and crevices.
l Rinse the plant: after 2-3 hours, wash the plant with water to avoid leaf burn.
Neem oil treatment
l Use neem oil: mix 1-2 teaspoons of neem oil with 1 quart (1 litre) of water and add a few drops of dish soap. Spray the mixture on the plant, covering all surfaces.
l Repeat weekly: neem oil disrupts the lifecycle of mealybugs but requires consistent application.
Introduce beneficial insects
l Natural predators: ladybugs, lacewings, or parasitic wasps feed on mealybugs. Release them near your plants if you have an outdoor infestation.
Prune and isolate
l Cut off heavily infested parts: remove and dispose of leaves or branches that are overrun by mealybugs.
l Isolate affected plants: keep infested plants away from others to prevent the spread.
Use rubbing alcohol spray
l Alcohol spray: mix 1 part rubbing alcohol with 4 parts water and a few drops of dish soap. Spray the entire plant, focusing on areas where mealybugs are hiding.
Check and clean soil
l Inspect the soil: mealybugs sometimes hide in the soil. Remove the top inch of soil and replace it with fresh, pest-free soil.
l Drench the soil: use neem oil or an insecticidal soap solution to treat the soil.
Prevent future infestations
l Inspect new plants: check for pests before bringing new plants home.
l Maintain plant health: mealybugs target stressed plants, so keep your plants well-watered, fertilised, and in optimal conditions.
l Wipe leaves regularly: clean the leaves with a damp cloth to prevent pests from settling.
Use chemical insecticides (last resort)
l Systemic insecticides: if the infestation is severe, use products containing imidacloprid or other systemic insecticides. Follow the label instructions carefully.
Pamela, let me know if these suggestions help!
Send questions to rayannaboodram@hotmail.com
