Mealy Bugs!!!

7 years ago

Hello everyone!
A week or two ago I found mealy bugs on one of my succulents and I treated it with a cotton swab and alcohol. Eventually I got grossed out and just beheaded my succulent. Yesterday I found more mealy bugs on different succulents. I just sprayed it with a mix of water and alcohol and was wondering, will that do the trick? Also if spraying the plant will remove them, can I spray my plants every two weeks or so to keep them at bay?
Thank you :)

Featured Answer

rina_Ontario,Canada 5a

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

I have had mealy bugs, but only occasional - on a plant or most 2 at the same time. I use 99% rubbing alcohol, not diluted. I spray plant thoroughly, while keeping out of sun. Repeat after few days. I have sprayed some alcohol directly on the soil on a plant with more problems, but do not know if that is neccessary. Usually, melies dissapear after 1 or 2 sprayings. I have only 1 plant on which mealy seem to apear periodically - it is one of the Crosby's compact plants. I have few pots of it, all grown from cuttings from original plant over 3-4 years, and so far, there were no mealies on others. I have no idea why one seems to be more attractive than rest of them (not that I am complaining!!!).

I am not sure if plants need regular and continuous spraying. IMO, bugs can get used to alcohol - but I have no way of being sure, or a proof of it. I just think that excessive use of any 'medicine' makes it possible for bugs getting immune to it, more or less.

Mealies will spread - I am lucky because it didn't happen to me (yet - and I hope it will stay that way). So keep infected plants separated. Best is to check and repot newly purchased plants asap, that may help to detect if there is any bugs on plant.

Perhaps you should check infected plants roots - there are root mealies, but I do not know much about them. I am sure someone else will chime in. IIRC, those are more difficult to get rid of. If that's the case, I would repot using brand new mix (even if plant was recently repotted) and get rid of old mix.

Someone mentioned recently that non stressed plants do not get mealies - that makes sence. Strong plants of any kind are able to resist bug attacks or diseases much better.

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Comments (7)

James _J
7 years ago
I think the egg to adult time frame is 7-10 days so I would spray once a week, I would also add a little soap to the spray.

The best way is to use a systemic and spray with insecticidal soap or oil between treatments.
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rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Not sure if using soap is good idea - unless it is vegetable based soap. Like Castile soaps. I know that there are many recomendations to use dishwashing liquids - but they are detergents, and could do more harm than benefit if used continuosly. I believe soaps are recommende to aide spray to adhere to plant longer - not sure if it is needed to add to ready-made insecticidals. If home made, I would probably use little olive oil (do not make huge batches since oil could go rancid).

Someone also mentioned using Windex - I have no idea if it is could be also harmful or not. But using anything just on occasion or few shouldn't cause too much damage..JMHO

Insecticidal soaps that work on mealy bugs can be bougt in many stores (there is no detergent in them, but fatty acids).

BTW, some plants could be more sensitive to sprays than others, so testing before using more often would be good idea.
That Sucs ;)
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you :)
My infected plant is inside of a large planter with 80% of all of my succulents with it as well! I will spray it again tomorrow and the day after with non-diluted alcohol and pray for the best. I will check on it tomorrow to see if I should repot. Thanks again for all your input!
Meyermike(Zone 6a Ma.)
7 years ago
Lowes sells a great product called 'Safers Soap'. It works great and harms none of my plants.
rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
7 years ago
That Sucs

That is one of the reasons why I prefer to have plants potted individually...but I like the look of comunity containers and have some too...
That Sucs ;)
Original Author
7 years ago
I checked it out today and found that some other plants were infected too :(
I decided to spray the whole container with alcohol/glass plus spray and hope to never have to see those horrible bugs again. I will go to Lowe’s and buy anything I can to stop their rampage!
Thank you everyone