Small white, cotton ball-like dots on houseplants indicate mealybugs. The plant also makes a miserable impression: it's high time to act and take action against the pests! But which means guarantee environmentally and plant-friendly treatment? We will advise you on useful home remedies and how to use them correctly.
How can you fight mealybugs on houseplants naturally?
To combat mealybugs on houseplants effectively and in an environmentally friendly manner, first isolate the affected plant, remove infected parts of the plant and use home remedies such as plant decoction, neem oil, alcohol or soft soap. Alternatively, helpful predators such as ladybirds, parasitic wasps or lacewings can be used.
Mealybugs briefly introduced
- also called mealybugs
- belong to the insects
- Family: Pseudococcidae
- more than 1000 known species
- small, white, cotton ball-like bodies ranging in size from 1 to 12 mm
- suck the juice from the leaves
- leave sticky honeydew on leaves
Fighting mealybugs
If you have noticed mealybugs on your houseplant, you must act immediately. In the early stages, the chances of eliminating the plague quickly are still good. After only a short time, however, the population becomes overwhelming as the mealybugs spread explosively.
Tip
To protect neighboring houseplants, you should first isolate the affected plant.
Basic measures
- Shower the plant with water.
- Cut off affected plant parts.
- Pot the houseplant in fresh substrate and disinfect the old pot.
Tip
Sometimes mealybugs have already nested in the substrate. This can also happen with sealed packages from retailers. To kill the pests, heat the soil for 5 minutes at 800 watts in the microwave or for 20 minutes at 180°C to 200°C in the oven.
Predators
You can also use beneficial insects in your home to combat pests. It is important that you create the necessary conditions so that the predators feel comfortable. Recommended against mealybugs
- the Australian ladybird
- Parasitic wasps
- or lacewings
You can get the beneficial insects in small bags from specialist retailers. Although the purchase price is comparatively high - especially considering that several applications are likely to be required - predators are certainly the most natural method of combating pests. Neither you nor the plant will be harmed.
Home remedies
Never use chemicals against mealybugs, especially not in your home. Home remedies, on the other hand, are simple and inexpensive to make and have no effect on your he alth. Have proven themselves
- Plant decoction made from nettles, tansy, wormwood or field horsetail
- Oil applications based on neem or rapeseed
- pure alcohol from the pharmacy
- soft soap
- Tobacco
Tip
You should also use home remedies repeatedly. Spray the undersides of the leaves with the broth or soft soap. This is where most of the animals stay.
