How do I control mealybug?

How do I control mealybugs on my houseplants?

Have you noticed a white, sticky, candyfloss-like substance appearing on your houseplant? Then there is a good chance it is dealing with mealybugs. That sticky coating gives the mealybug excellent protection, and it is where the eggs are laid too. Mealybugs pierce a tiny hole in the plant and then suck out the sap. This weakens the plant and can even kill it. So it is important to act straight away as soon as you notice mealybugs on your houseplant.

Preventing mealybugs

There is no specific way to prevent mealybugs on a houseplant. What you can do is make sure your houseplants never stand in a draught, because a draught does raise the risk of mealybugs.

Different types of mealybug

Within the mealybug family there are several varieties, each with its own taste in plants:

1. Citrus mealybug (Planiococcus citri) : this is the most common one and it has a preference for Ficus, Croton, palms and Schefflera, among others. This variety lives for around 40 days, and the eggs of the citrus mealybug hatch within 2 weeks, laid 100 at a time!

2. Short-tailed mealybug (Pseudococcus affinis) : this variety is not often found on houseplants. It is better known as the tomato mealybug, because it has a strong preference for tomato plants.

3. Long-tailed mealybug (Pseudococcus longispinus) : this species turns up regularly on potted plants, with Dracaena and Croton as its favourite spots.

How mealybugs spread

Mealybugs are between 3 and 6 millimetres long and often live in large groups. They are covered in a white, candyfloss-like substance made up mainly of waxy threads. This layer protects the mealybug from predators and gives the eggs a safe place to sit. Mealybugs do not travel far under their own steam; they are usually carried along by people. Most often they hitch a ride on clothing and settle into your plants from there.

During the warmer seasons, the mealybug lays its eggs. Not one egg at a time, but hundreds at once. Within a week or two those eggs will hatch, and a full-blown infestation can take hold!

Where mealybugs sit on the plant

The mealybug is one of the few pests found all over the world. Each species has its own preferred spot on the plant. The most common species, though, is not fussy about where it settles: you can find them anywhere, on the leaves as well as on the stem!

Treating mealybugs

As we said, it is important to step in as soon as you spot mealybugs. Treating them is not difficult, though, and you have often got the remedy in the house already. The best weapon against mealybugs is water! Fill a spray bottle with water and spray the mealybugs and their eggs. You can be fairly firm about it, but take care not to damage the plant itself. This method will not get rid of every last mealybug straight away.

If you want to see results faster, there are plenty of biological and chemical treatments available. Read the instructions carefully and check that the product you choose is safe for your type of plant.