How to Get Rid of Mealybugs: DIY spray with baby oil

Easy to make, safe spray for mealy bugs on all kinds of houseplants. I show you how to make it and show you how to spray plants. Organic spray using just water, baby oil and dish soap.
Become a better gardener, Subscribe: kzbin.info...
Share with a friend: • How to Get Rid of Meal...
-----------------------
Free Stuff:
Free Garden eBook: 24 1/2 Garden Design Ideas:
www.gardenfundamentals.com/24-...
-----------------------
My Books:
Garden Myths:
www.gardenmyths.com/garden-myt...
Building Natural Ponds:
www.buildingnaturalponds.com/
------------------------
Free Resources:
Garden Fundamentals Blog - lots of gardening information:
www.gardenfundamentals.com/
Garden Fundamentals Facebook Group:
/ gardenfundamentals
My Garden Myths Blog:
www.gardenmyths.com/
Building Natural Ponds Facebook Group:
/ buildingnaturalponds
-----------------------
Recommended Playlists
Seed Germination - Everything you need to know:
• Improved paper towel a...
Garden Myths:
• Epsom Salt Myths - lea...
-----------------------
Best Way to Control Mealybugs: DIY spray with baby oil
Easy to make, safe spray for mealybugs on all kinds of houseplants. I show you how to make it and show you how to spray plants. Organic spray using just water, baby oil and dish soap.
Learn how to identify mealybugs on plants. Closeup view of the insect. Learn how to make the organic spray and how to to spray it on plants.
List of Credits:
Images:
All slides and videos belong to GardenFundamentals.com or are public domain images, except for the following:
Music:
All music public domain or by Kevin Macleod: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...

[@frotboy]

I wish more people were informative and to the point,

[@springshoupe6873]

Thank you! This is simple and you got right to the point. I must've watched 20 worthless, long videos before finding this gem. Thank you again!

[@mehnazrabbani3418]

worked like a charm. thank you!

[@mariakapatos9545]

Thank you so much for great information, clearly and well explained. Have a happy day.😊

[@ZeroMass]

Sprayed my plants in the tub with the "messy oil" as recommended, then broke my hip in the shower later.. I swear I could hear the Mealy bugs laughing 😂

[@anitaevers2119]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@TdawnT]

Definitely something that would happen to me.

[@ttime5238]

I hope you can’t hear me laughing. That’s a serious break!

[@ClaudiaHernandez-qv4mo]

🤣🤣🤣

[@jewelguzzardi4735]

So sorry. Hope you heal.

[@BobWidlefish]

Very well done! To the point, very specific, and clearly demonstrated - you rock! I use yucca extract as my soap, seems to work similarly.

[@redghost9661]

thank you so much, gonna try it and i hope it will work

[@AB-vb2mm]

Mealy bugs come from the ground/roots too. I saw it while repotting so I think this oilspraying helps only temporarily, because new one will come from the ground.

[@nazeerabdulrahuman9526]

Thank you for the useful video

[@blackstar8620]

Thank you for this!!!!

[@jammer8ztn0ajpw19]

I’ll definitely be trying this, my moms praying plant was totally covered in mealy bugs. I tried wiping them off, but nothing really happened. The spray seems really convenient, thanks!

[@toulas2032]

Thank you so much for the information. I will try. Thanks.

[@IanJones-wy2jm]

Really helpful

[@Stef2050]

Didn't know I could do something this simple I've been using q tips and alcohol to wipe them away one by one but they kept coming back so I'm glad to try something like this to see if I can get rid of all of them.

[@ddaavvviiiidd.2001]

Does it work?

[@Stef2050]

@@ddaavvviiiidd.2001 yup tried it and it worked like a charm

[@jackieashton7918]

They also accumulate down inside plant pot inbetween pot and soil, or in other nooks and crannies in soil, so gently take plant from it's pot and see if some are there and check top of soil too. I found some on outer rim of the plant pot so I took that pot to clean and put the plant in an uncontaminated one. Apparently they can lay their eggs away from the plant hence it's important to use disinfectant around where the plant is placed.

[@slawomirslyk]

Good spot, they killed my young Copiapoa krainziana on exactly that way.

[@bkrbkrl]

Check out the chemical components of Dawn(or any dish soap). Make your own conclusions. I use pure castile soap in recipes for plants.

[@ASpinnerASpinner]

I have controlled a scale infestation on my euonymus bush with a similar solution, except with vegetable oil.

[@maryrose6229]

I get these all over my garden in the summer....I use horticultural oil which is mineral oil .. Baby oil is mineral oil too I think.

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

Yes - they are similar oil - but baby oil smells better :)

[@principle1100]

hi ! loved your video. QUESTION - how do i get rid of ants? thanks !!!

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

Use a commercial ant bait, or use borax + sugar in equal amounts. The problem with ants is that they will return. You can't get them out of the garden.

[@rhoothlutz798]

What do you think of neem oil?

[@tonilaventure8075]

WOW. I wish I new all this years ago. I've spent a fortune on insecticides.

[@itsPOWOW]

Is it just mineral oil that is effective? Will a vegetable oi, sunflower, almond oil have the same affect? I have lots of those! Thank you.

[@zoeydeu2261]

Will the baby oil or insecticidal soap/dish soap remove the farina off succulents?

[@PFSacramento]

When they’re dead do they fall off or do you have to wipe them off?

[@mistressbing]

Thanks for the video, is it best with hard or soft water?

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

Does not matter

[@beckyconnor790]

what r your thoughts on neem oil vs baby oil, and thank you for the video, short and to the point, not a bunch of "fluff" MUCH APPRECIATED 👍👍👍

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

1) thanks for the "not a bunch of "fluff" " comment. I hate that too and try to get to the facts. 2) I compared both oils on about 500 orchids at one time. Half got baby oil and half get NEEM. I got scale and mealy bugs in that small room about every 4 months. After a year - I saw no difference. Baby oil is cheaper and smells nicer :)

[@beckyconnor790]

@@Gardenfundamentals1 , thank you, good to know, I actually put off treating plants in living room due to the smell🙄

[@nickfilopoulos7428]

I tried just about everything all different poisons from Banning and none do the job they doing more harm to the plant,but I tried the neem oil and I think is the best so far and a bit more gentle to the plants,I only use it on dessert roses,and it seems it’s okay,👌🏽

[@sarahdescoteaux1840]

I wonder if it would work on aphids?

[@luannelulu]

Would the oil stop the plant from absorbing sunlight 🤔? I've always heard this happens to plants if you put oil but would like to know your thoughts please. Great video by the way. So glad I found you, just subscribed.

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

It probably reduces light a bit, but since it is transparent, a lot of light will get through.

[@elizabethrigby-jones5085]

Hi there, would you very kindly provide the measurements of water as I do not want to get the mixture wrong. Love this inexpensive treatment. Thank you.

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

It is not that critical. 20-50 mls per spray bottle of water. If you add too much oil, the plant will feel sticky, but it will still work. If you use too little, the leaves will not get shiny - it won't work.

[@sasuzamalek]

@@Gardenfundamentals1 can I add normal cooking oil?

[@Sightless666]

I've been using isopropyl alcohol + water spray til now, but I'm going to try this recipe. Do you think it's silly to also add the alcohol to it?

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

I would not add the alcohol.

[@lindawarner485]

I have a tree with several branches covered. Should I cut off branches

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

No - how can that help the tree?

[@meganpahl3612]

so in response to your response, if I see the first inch or so of the stem at soil level shriveled and white and fuzzy, this is mealies?

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

I couldn't tell from that description. Look at it closely and compare with online pictures.

[@mdnoormdnoor8346]

Dear, How much water in that water spray... Could you be precise abt the amt use.. Tq so much...

[@meganpahl3612]

I have never seen the baby oil approach but do use the dawn, alcohol, and water spray to kill them. My question is how can I tell on a succulent such as burro's tail that the stem above soil level has molded (white mold) and is NOT mealys?

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

The two look quite different with a magnifying glass. You can see the mealy bugs outline.

[@NirvanChan]

Hey i have some big hibiscus plants with mealy bugs on them what can i use to get rid of them? We have dish washing liquid not sure the brand though we have cooking oil not baby oil though , I'm afraid of loosing the plant because its leaves are getting a bit yellow,the plants are really old though. But today a hard shower of rain fell after a long time not sure if that would've washed any away. Thanks in advance for your help ☺

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

cooking oil does work, but it makes the plant very sticky.

[@NirvanChan]

@@Gardenfundamentals1 oh , thanks for the help can i use some though?

[@donnacone4714]

Is been oil ok? Or does it matter 🤔. Why didn’t you use neem I also grow Orchids an I got some that had mealy bug! They keep popping out so looking for the right solution to get rid of them 👍🏻

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

Any light oil works, but most cooking oil is too heavy. I used neem in the past on orchids. At one point I tried about 200 plants with neem and 200 with baby oil. Both worked, but baby oil is cheaper and smells a lot better.

[@bigworld4089]

@@Gardenfundamentals1 In another response you wrote that you did an experiment with 500

[@Gladiator_in_a_Suit]

Will this work for cactuses?

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

definitely

[@cmcd9213]

Is this strictly for indoor plants or can I use it outdoors, too? I should mention I live in Arizona & it will be 113° today, which is typical in the summer. I want to kill them but not necessarily have a mealybug deep fry that will hurt my plants. Do you know if the oil in the hot sun will bake my plants? As I'm writing this I kinda feel like it might but not sure. I use Vicks on the base stem of my squash (and other plants) to prevent bores & such so maybe it'll be fine.

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

It will work outside, but oil sprays are not recommended on hot sunny days.

[@wacoharder]

So, what can I use in hot Texas summer on outdoor plants that have an infestation of mealy bugs. Last year they covered my zinnias, verbena, and other plants. Is there a systemic drench that can be used?

[@angelaa7616]

Can we spray vegetables as a preventive way of mealy bugs and treatment? I always had some this type of bugs on my Kale.

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

Outdoor plants rarely get mealy bugs, and this spray will do nothing as a preventifive spray.

[@angelaa7616]

@@Gardenfundamentals1 but my kales did. Got u, appreciate your reply.

[@karenr.3597]

@@Gardenfundamentals1 Not true, sorry.....but mine have it. My tress also get them...last year they destroyed one of them Just a FYI

[@E2Anime]

Did you say how the baby oil eradicate mealy bugs?

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

The soil suffocates them.

[@flyingmylife3611]

Can I use vegetable oil instead?

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

You can, but it is much thicker and creates a stick mess on the plants. A light oil is best.

[@yellowdutertards9658]

mealybugs love crotons

[@migdaliavalle5927]

I can do spray with baby oil any chains of plants??

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

It is always a good idea to test it. I just sprayed a streptocarpus for mealy bugs and it did a great job. No damage to leaves, but it did damage open flowers and some buds.

[@tamaliaalisjahbana9354]

I always heard that tobacco in water sprayed onto the plant would also work. Do you know if this is true? Or moringa oleifera leaves chopped up with neem (azadirachta indica) tree leaves in water and then sprayed on to the infested plant.

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

it is certainly an insecticide. it is also very toxic to humans.

[@tamaliaalisjahbana9354]

@@Gardenfundamentals1 The tobacco or the neem and moringa are toxic or all of them?

[@ladymindful6997]

Does it need to baby oil

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

Any light oil will work - kitchen oil is too heavy

[@silencio1234]

Would olive oil work? I have it on hand

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

Yes - I just don't know how sticky it will get. Baby oil is a very light oil.

[@janelhester6960]

What about the eggs sacks? How should I kill them?

[@annestudley8235]

Can you use an edible oil instead of baby or mineral oil?

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

Yes - but edible oils than to be heavier and stickier.

[@annestudley8235]

OK, thanks a lot.

[@noorarahimi1498]

👍👍😊👍

[@mariakapatos9545]

😬

[@junaidfaiz]

Is baking soda water mixture fine as well?

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

I don't think so.

[@rekhasuresh3361]

Sir, could you please let me know the contents of baby oil...?

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

Have a look at the bottle.

[@FunAndSmooth]

Can I ask how much water you put in your spray bottle to mix with 30ml baby oil?

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

I fill it up. the amounts are not that critical. You want the plant to end up with a very thin layer of oil.

[@FunAndSmooth]

@@Gardenfundamentals1 Many thanks. I used 500ml water, two days after spray, few mealybugs come back.

[@annsfrench]

What is the quantity of water? 16 oz? 32 oz?

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

It is not that critical - but I probably use 16 oz

[@dianasaetern]

I feel like my bugs are super immune to this stuff and won’t die 😭 I would hate to have to throw out my plant

[@yogiteee9856]

For me they are very persistant too, but I feel like sometimes I dont get deep enopough into rills and wrinkly spots, but I noticed that it helps a lot if I repeat the procedure kinda frequently...

[@romathoi7380]

Can I use baby massage oil or hair oil

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

any light oil will work.

[@borntolearnandearn7759]

Can we use neem oil insecticide?

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

Yes - but it stinks more. I compared the two once, and found they were equally effective. You do have to use the right product: www.gardenmyths.com/neem-oil-insecticide-fungicide/

[@borntolearnandearn7759]

@@Gardenfundamentals1 thanks a lot for your reply. In India, neem is used in various ways and it is native to India we are habitual to its smell. One last important question I haven't received still any satisfactory answer yet is that neem oil is also a fungicide so it is able to kill fungus or not? And what about beneficial fungus like trichoderma, will it kill also? Please explain it.

[@nishapatel6217]

Can I use baby shampoo

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

No - shampoo is not an oil.

[@roberthutchins3435]

How Much Water?

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

Almost fill the spray bottle.

[@lowtechaquariumaquaponics757]

@@Gardenfundamentals1 how many ml is the bottle?

[@robinconerly4763]

How much liquid does your spray bottle hold?

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

Not sure - the measurements are not that accurate.

[@Jacq892]

Will Neem oil work?

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

Yes - but my limited testing showed it is no better than this oil mixture.

[@Jacq892]

@@Gardenfundamentals1 thanks, I have the neem but no baby oil

[@worl1610]

👍🏽🙏🏽🇯🇲

[@slawomirslyk]

Having so infested plant I would rather cut that part off and put it into plastic bag, just starve them to death.