Recognize and fight mealybugs

General

The insect pests, which are also called mealybugs or root lice, occur worldwide and belong to the subfamily of scale insects. The one to twelve millimeter large insects secrete a white, waxy, wooly substance, which envelops the animal like a small cotton ball and protects it from environmental influences and predators protects. They are able to reproduce unisexually and thus reproduce explosively if they find optimal conditions. After the mealybug has attached itself to the host plant, it usually lingers in one place under its protective layer.

The damage

Mealybugs not only weaken the palm by drinking the sap. They also secrete toxins which have a negative effect on vitality and the growth of the plant impact. The excreted honeydew also favors the infestation with sooty fungus.

The leaves of the palm turn yellow, dry up and eventually fall off. Heavy mealybug infestation inevitably leads to the death of the plant.

Fight mealybugs successfully

In the event of an infestation, it is important to act quickly. Follow these steps:

• Isolate the plant and place it in a very bright, not too warm place.
• Scrape the lice and the white coating not as often recommended. This would spread the tiny eggs all over the palm.
• You can mix a good home remedy for mealybugs yourself from 15 milliliters of alcohol, fifteen milliliters of paraffin oil and one liter of water.
• Alternatively, the trade has highly effective insecticides available.
• Inject several times with an interval of two to three days.

Treat palm trees in the winter garden with beneficial insects

In closed spaces, beneficial insects like the larvae say the Lacewing, the Australian ladybird or hatchling is fighting the mealybugs. You can get these animal helpers, which are applied directly to the plant, in specialist shops.