Mealybugs are a type of scale insect that have a wax coating. Females are wingless and have a soft oval body. Male mealybugs are smaller with wings and a tail. The average life cycle of a mealybug is 6-8 weeks. These bugs live in warm environments and feed on plant sap. Once they feed, they leave behind honeydew which is their excrement. The longer a plant is exposed to mealybugs the more likely plant growth will slow and leaves may drop. NOTE: Some Hoyas produce nectar. It can be difficult to tell honeydew/nectar apart. Inspect plant closely for pests. Mealybugs can be easily identified due to their cotton-like appearance. However, these bugs are great at getting in the nooks and crannies of a plant. Make sure to check between nodes, near stems, and under any supports (e.g. clips, velcro) you have if the plant is trellised. Always quarantine any pest ridden houseplants. If you notice a few mealybugs on your houseplant, you can spot treat with 70% isopropyl alcohol. Take a cotton swab and dip it into the alcohol. Apply the end of the swab directly on the mealybugs. If you notice a large infestation of mealybugs you will want to use a diluted alcohol solution to spray the plant.
Alcohol spray: 1/2 cup isopropyl alcohol 70% 4 cups water If you don't have isopropyl alcohol, you can also use neem oil to kill any life cycle stage of a mealybug. Neem oil comes in concentrate or premade solution. For neem oil concentrate follow the direction on the bottle. If you plan on using neem oil make sure to apply it in the evening to avoid foliage burning. *Note if you use concentrate make sure you use warm water and some type of castile or dish soap to act as an emulsifier with the neem oil. Concentrate: 2 cups warm water 3/4 tsp neem oil concentrate 2-3 drops of free & clear dish soap or castile soap Apply preferred pest control method once a week for 2 months to ensure elimination of mealybugs. Click here to read about root mealybugs.
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