Mealy bugs

by Rhonda
(Northglenn, CO)

Mealy Bug

Do you have a solution for dealing with mealy bugs? They seem to only be on my jade plants.

Most of what I read is wipe down every leaf with a Qtip.

There is no way I have time to do this with the hundreds of little jade leaves.

Hosing them down isn’t a good option either. I have been using a neem/soap mixture that helps for a while then they come back.

Do I have to use it forever? Some of the leaves can handle the neem, others can’t.

Hoping you have a miracle solution. Love your newletter. Thank you.

Comments for Mealy bugs

Mar 15, 2019 Mealy Bugs! by: Jacki Cammidge, Certified Horticulturist They are the worst! Unfortunately, there is really no other option; either spend lots and lots of time dealing with them, or dump the plant. Sorry, I know that’s probably not what you want to hear. Even after months of trying everything, I’ve ended up tossing the plant in the garbage, because they always come back. The only thing I haven’t tried is a systemic pesticide. They are taken up by the roots and then the bugs eat the deadly poison as they suck the life out of your plants. Caveat; this may not work to get rid of any eggs or juveniles which could have hatched out in the interim, so don’t take your eyes off the plant for a minute, thinking you’ve solved it. They can hide and come back when you’re not looking. They can also jump from plant to plant, infecting everything. Also, there doesn’t seem to be anything specially developed for succulents, so use this type of product at your own risk. More on pest control here.

Mar 15, 2019 Help for mealy bugs by: Brenda On another site they suggested using Q-tips dipped in rubbing alcohol for mealy bugs and scale. Well I wasn’t going to swab down every inch of the plant. I had a suspected scale problem. So I sprayed mine down. I am watching them but they seem to be okay.