Recognize and drive away mealybugs

You can recognize the infestation by these symptoms

Mealybugs hide their 0.5 cm small, oval body under a waxy protective layer. This shell keeps moisture and predators out. It is these tiny wads of cotton wool on the leaves and shoots that primarily ins eye fall. Due to its explosive multiplication, the affected orchid is covered with white webs within a short time. In addition, the following symptoms signal an infestation with mealybugs:

• The lack of sap weakens the orchid in its entire constitution
• The leaves deform, wither and fall off
• Shoots and buds are stunted

Since mealybugs are masters of camouflage, their presence is only noticed when large colonies have already formed. Therefore, please take a regular look at the underside of the leaves and leaf axils, because this is where the dilemma usually begins.

Home remedies fight mealybugs at an early stage

As long as lice just setting up on a plant, use home remedies to put an end to the parasite. The following methods have proven themselves in practice:

• Shower the orchid upside down with as powerful a jet of water as possible
• Then soak a cloth in alcohol to wipe off the leaves and shoots
• Dip cotton swabs in alcohol to dab individual mealybugs in the leaf axils

For further treatment, isolate the orchid from other plants to prevent the pests from spreading further. In the quarantine room, spray the afflicted orchid every 2 days with a mixture of 1 liter of water, 1-2 tablespoons Soft soap(€ 38.88 at Amazon *) and 1 splash of alcohol. Ready-made soap solutions are now also available from specialist retailers.

These insects like to eat mealybugs

If the pressure of the infestation has already developed, you can no longer achieve any sweeping success with home remedies. Instead of resorting to chemical insecticides now, get effective protection from the animal kingdom. The following predators are available from specialist retailers and will enthusiastically hunt for mealybugs on your orchids:

• The larvae of the Australian ladybird (Cryptolaemus montrouzieri)
• The parasitic wasp (Leptomastix dactylopii)

The parasitic wasp is only active from a room temperature of 24 degrees Celsius. In contrast, the predatory ladybird already feels comfortable at normal room temperatures and kills countless mealybugs during its 50-day life. Once the pest colonies have been eliminated, the ladybirds migrate to search for new grazing grounds.