This is how you get rid of the sticky mealybugs

Recognize mealybugs and mealybugs

“The” mealybug does not exist; instead, there are around 1,000 different species - like its close relative, the scale insect. Around 65 are classified as plant pests in Germany, with the citrus smear louse (Planococcus citri) being particularly common. This not only affects leaves and shoots, but also nests in the roots. This is why this variety bears the name Wurzellaus. You can recognize them by the numerous "cotton balls" on the root neck and in the root area.

Damage and symptoms

Mealybugs are mostly with the bare eye clearly visible

For a successful control, the specific type of pest - which in any case cannot be determined by laypeople - is not important. You can recognize an infestation in all mealybugs by these symptoms:

• Lice sit under a white layer of wax with threads similar to cotton balls
• are often found on the undersides of the leaves
• or in the Triebachseln
• often also on the roots and on the root neck
• Leaf spots, stunted and curled leaves
• Leaves later dry up and fall off
• Stunted growth and shrinkage of the plant in the event of severe infestation
• white, greasy residue on and near the plant
• sticky honeydew

The sticky residues are the sweet excretions of the pests called honeydew. These cause further problems because they attract ants and are smothered by sooty mildew. Black fungi colonized. If you notice increased activity of ants on certain plants, especially with garden plants, an infestation with woolly lice or other plant lice such as aphids or scale insects is not unlikely.

These plants are particularly often infested

Mealybugs particularly like to sit on citrus plants such as a lemon or orange tree. But the pests can also often be found on orchids, cacti, palm trees and other indoor plants. In the garden are next Hydrangeas, other herbaceous perennials and herbs are threatened with infestation.

Healthy and strong plants can usually defend themselves, but if the plants are weakened by an unsuitable location or incorrect care, an infestation is likely. Mealybugs and mealybugs occur mainly in warm, dry weather, for example in the summer months or, in the case of indoor plants, towards the end of winter.

Fighting mealybugs effectively - what really helps?

When it comes to combating mealybugs and effective crop protection, you have various options. Do not resort to the chemical club straight away, even if it seems easier at first - toxic agents have a number of subsequent problems. Instead, we have put together some home remedies that have been tried and tested against plant vacuums at this point.

First aid measures

If the infestation is moderate, it is often sufficient to rinse the infested plants thoroughly at regular intervals

As soon as you have identified an infestation with mealybugs, isolate the affected plants - otherwise other houseplants will quickly become infected. Furthermore, these first aid measures help to counteract further spread:

• rinse affected plants with a strong jet of water
• Cut back heavily infested parts of the plant
• collect isolated mealybugs, e.g. B. with the help of a toothbrush
• Repot heavily infested plants and remove soil residues

Once you have completed these steps, take further action. In the following section you will find out which are useful and how to use them.

Make your own sprays - this is how it's done

Easily prepared spray treatments based on have proven to be particularly effective

• Soft soap(€ 38.05 at Amazon *) and alcohol
• garlic
• Bracken
• and nettle

exposed.

Soft soap and alcohol

Almost a classic in the fight against mealybugs and other pests is a spray made from liquid soft soap and denatured alcohol. This home remedy is very effective, but it is not suitable for all plants. Therefore, before use, carry out a compatibility test in which you only apply the solution to a small area at first. Then wait a few hours: If the plant shows no reaction and no changes can be seen in the area, carry out the spray cure. If, on the other hand, spots appear or the treated leaves curl, the treatment should be avoided.

You prepare the soft soap-alcohol mixture as follows:

1. Stir in a tablespoon of liquid soft soap or washing-up liquid
2. in some warm, lime-free water.
3. Add a tablespoon of denatured alcohol.
4. Caution: Denatured alcohol is extremely flammable! No open fire and no heat source nearby!
5. Dissolve everything in a liter of soft water.

Now fill the spray into a suitable spray bottle and spray the infested plants with it extensively. Don't forget the undersides of the leaves and the leaf axils - this is where the mealybugs particularly like to sit. Alternatively, you can dip a cotton swab into the solution and dab each louse individually.

Vegetable brew

Plant extracts based on garlic, nettle or bracken are much better tolerated by many plants, especially orchids. You collect the last two ingredients in nature, where both are found in abundance. In the case of nettles, make sure to collect leaves and stems from specimens that are about to bloom - these have the highest proportion of active ingredients.

And that is how it works:

• You need 200 grams of nettles or 100 grams of bracken or garlic.
• Use whole bulbs of the garlic, including the skin.
• Chop all parts of the plant as small as possible.
• The better the active ingredients can be extracted.
• Pour hot water over the plant material.
• However, the water should no longer bubble.
• Let the brew stand for about 24 hours.
• Strain off the plant parts.
• Fill the brew into a spray bottle.

Then use the product as a spray or water the infested plants with it. It is important that you carry out the cure several times with an interval of several days. This is the only way to catch all mealybugs, especially those freshly hatched from the eggs.

Mealybugs on the roots - what to do?

If the roots are infected with mealybugs, they should be cleaned thoroughly and potted in fresh soil

If, on the other hand, the mealybugs are sitting on or in the roots, first pot the plant out. Afterward

• remove any adhering substrate
• and dispose of this
• thoroughly clean the planter
• and disinfect it with alcohol
• rinse the roots thoroughly in the shower
• and dive for approx. 15 minutes in a garlic or nettle stock

After this treatment, place the plant in fresh substrate and keep a close eye on it. If the mealybugs appear again, repeat the treatment.

Digression

Which biological pesticides still help?

Use beneficial insects to combat mealybugs and mealybugs - naturally

Beneficial insects - useful because they are predatory insects - have proven to be very effective in combating mealybugs and other pests. But be careful: You must not use them together with pesticides (not even based on neem, etc.!), As these also kill the beneficial insects. Help against mealybugs:

• Ladybug
• Lacewing
• Parasitic wasps
• Hoverflies
• Predatory beetle

You can get the natural predators of mealybugs in specialist shops, where the animals are offered as larvae. Use them in accordance with the instructions on the package, paying particular attention to the recommended temperature and light conditions. This is the only way for the beneficial insects to develop as desired. After the treatment, the insects disappear on their own.

In the garden you should pay attention to a healthy ecological balance by keeping useful insects and other animal helpers such as bees, Bumblebees, Butterflies, birds and hedgehogs feel good. This way you keep the pests at bay in the first place. Cultivate many umbelliferous plants, as these are the preferred food plants of beneficial insects - usually only their larvae feed on predatory food.

Digression

Never scrape off mealybugs!

Effectively prevent mealybugs - the pests don't stand a chance

Too much or too little water promotes mealybug infestation

So that there is no infestation with mealybugs or other pests in the first place, these preventive measures are useful:

• Pay attention to optimal location conditions for each plant.
• Avoid over- or under-supply with water.
• Avoid over- or under-supply with fertilizer.
• In particular, nitrogen-based fertilization weakens the plants.
• For indoor plants, keep the humidity high.
• Hibernate them - depending on the species and variety - as cool and light as possible.

In the case of garden plants, you can strengthen the plant's immune system by regularly spraying or watering it with nettle or field horsetail brew. You should also avoid monocultures because they encourage pest infestation. Neighbors like lavender, NasturtiumsOn the other hand, savory, garlic, onions, leeks (ornamental leek) and chervil keep many pests away.

frequently asked Questions

Are mealybugs also dangerous for humans?

Don't worry, mealy bugs are not dangerous to humans or pets. The pests feed exclusively on nutritious plant saps, which is why only garden and indoor plants are at risk.

Where do the mealybugs come from anyway?

In most cases, the pests are dragged home with newly purchased or gifted plants. Well-hidden individual specimens are not even noticeable when selecting, and plants that are slightly infected often still look very healthy. If the conditions are right at home, however, the plant lice multiply explosively. A dry, warm room climate is particularly beneficial for their development.

When are mealybugs particularly common?

Mealybugs appear on indoor plants all year round, but you will only find them in the garden during the growing season. In winter, the pests and plants go into hibernation, after all, no plant sap flows in the cold season. This is different with indoor plants, at least if you cultivate them warm all year round.

Can mealybugs tolerate the cold? Does it perhaps help to put the infected houseplants out on the balcony?

Unfortunately, mealybugs and scale insects are quite insensitive to climatic changes. They occur in both dry and humid indoor air and can even tolerate frosty temperatures. It is therefore pointless to put infested house plants on the balcony in winter - the pests will surely survive the cold shock. Only your plants die, as most exotic species come from the tropics or subtropics and are therefore not frost-hardy. During the summer months, however, it can be advantageous to put infected plants outside - this makes control easier.

Can mealybugs actually fly?

In fact, mealybugs can fly, usually only males. Outwardly they resemble the whitefly, so that confusion is sometimes possible. The male mealybugs and mealybugs die after mating, while the females build a protective cocoon and thus become immobile. But be careful: These pests can reproduce when they are young, fertilization is not necessary!