Small white cotton ball-like dots on houseplants indicate mealybugs. In addition, the plant makes a miserable impression: high time to act and take action against the pests! But which means guarantee an environmentally friendly and plant-friendly treatment? We will advise you on useful home remedies and how to use them correctly.
Fluffy, white spots on the leaves are almost always an indication of mealybug infestation
Mealybugs briefly presented
- 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 sap from the leaves
- leave sticky honeydew on the leaves
fight mealybugs
If you have found 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 takes over as the mealybugs spread explosively.
tips
To protect neighboring houseplants, the first thing you should do is isolate the affected plant.
Basic Measures
- Rinse the plant with water.
- Cut off affected plant parts.
- Pot the houseplant in fresh substrate and disinfect the old pot.
tips
Sometimes mealybugs have already settled in the substrate. This can also happen with closed packs from the trade. To kill the pests, heat the soil in the microwave for 5 minutes at 800 watts or in the oven for 20 minutes at 180°C to 200°C.
predators
You can also use beneficial insects against pests in the home. It is important that you create the necessary conditions for the predators to feel comfortable. Recommended against mealybugs
- the Australian ladybug
- parasitic wasps
- or lacewings
You can get the beneficial insects in small bags from specialist retailers. Although the purchase price is comparably high - especially considering that multiple applications are likely to be required - predators are certainly the most natural method of controlling pests. Neither you nor the plant will be harmed.
home remedies
Never use chemicals against mealybugs, especially not in the home. Home remedies, on the other hand, are simple and inexpensive to produce and do not affect your health. Have proven themselves
- Vegetable brew made from stinging nettles, tansy, wormwood or horsetail
- Oil applications based on neem or rapeseed
- pure alcohol from the pharmacy
- soft soap
- tobacco
tips
You should also use home remedies repeatedly. Spray the undersides of the leaves in particular with the decoction or soft soap (44.90€). That's where most of the animals live.