How to Get Rid of Mealybugs - Part 1 of Logee's "Pest Prevention" Series

In Part 1 of Logee’s “Pest Prevention” series, Logee's horticulturist and third generation owner, Byron Martin, discusses how to identify and get rid of mealybugs on plants. Mealybugs are small insects that feed on the sap of many indoor plants. These annoying and destructive pests usually live in colonies in warm, moist habitats and act as a vector for several plant diseases. While strong, healthy plants can tolerate low populations without significant damage, their unattractive presence often reduces plant vigor, fruit quality and can also cause leaf drop. Watch the video to learn how to prevent and get rid of mealybugs.
*********************
*Frequently Asked Questions*
Q: Do you rinse off the alcohol after spraying it on the plant?
A: No, you don't rinse off the alcohol.
Q: What percent alcohol do you use?
A: We use a 70% solution. That is how you buy it.
Q: Putting pure alcohol on the plant won't harm it? Don't have to dilute it with water?
A: We recommend a 70% solution. Be sure to test on your plants first to make sure it is not phototoxic to your plants. For example, Streptocarpus are super sensitive so you would not use alcohol on them.
Q: Is alcohol useful for treating scale?
A: No, it is not as effective on scale.
*********************
Link to Neem Oil, which Byron mentioned in this video:
www.logees.com/pure-neem-oil....
To see our full selection of rare, fruiting and tropical plants, please visit us here:
www.Logees.com

[@LaplaceDaemon]

Something to point out here is that when he says use pure neem oil (or other oil) he means a solution of around 1% oil, 99% water and a bit of soap that allows the oil and water to mix. Don’t put undiluted oil on your plants, it will kill them no matter what oil it is.

[@littlebeebs1]

FINALLY! Someone who acknowledges that using a Q-tip with alcohol is just a waste of time. Most plants that get mealy bugs have tiny, cracks, and crevices that are too small to reach with a Q-tip. I have had sellers tell me that it is so simple. Just use a Q-tip and alcohol and kill each one individually. that is ridiculously time consuming when you have hundreds of plants. I don’t usually make small orders of plants. I ordered quite a few at a time. If every one of them has mealybugs, I am spending days upon days with a Q-tip if I were to do it that way. I have always just sprayed alcohol on them with a strong stream spray bottle. The only problem I have is that I am terrible about keeping up the work. I get busy working and doing other things in life and then I get another hatch out. I wish there was another way to just kill the darn things once, and for all without trading repeatedly. I have gone as far as spraying them off with a strong stream of alcohol. Letting that dry. Then taking a water hose and washing the plant off and a nice strong stream of water. And they still come back. I have checked them under the microscope and seen them to be mealy bug free after treatment, but then, a few weeks later, they are back. They are the bane of my existence. I have tried so many things. Insect growth, regulator’s, bifenthrin , insect soaps . You name it . Hope somebody makes a true cure someday.

[@yourteacher458]

You are the best, always. Concise, wise information. Thanks 🌿

[@katiesteele9495]

I lost all of my orchids one year because I could not control the mealy bugs. I had the same problem this year. I'm about to give up on orchids for a few years. In many years of growing them, I have never had this issue. Thank you for your concise and helpful videos. I will not look for a small pressurized sprayer for alcohol, I was using a regular spay bottle.

[@lrosengreen]

Great advice on using isopropyl alcohol! I hope in one of your future videos in this series you talk about getting rid of mites. I bought an Alocasia 'Pharohs Mask' a while ago, and I've had a lot of problems with broad mites on it.

[@jaycorwin1625]

I was expecting the cue tip/neem oil treatment. I was happy to see some affirmation. I use hand sanitizer (it's cheap, mostly alcohol, and everywhere now) and blast them once a week. It has saved a bunch of my plants. It's the only thing that has worked for hoyas, which seem to attract them. Three to four applications and no more mealy bugs.

[@IceSk8Princessa12]

Wow! Thank you for this video and especially for answering everyone' s questions! Very helpful!

[@LogeesPlants]

Glad it was helpful!

[@RocknRollkat]

Excellent presentation, thank you !

[@pariahsgrit]

Finally a logical solution for the person who wants to have their own small nursery. Gracias

[@Angie-ci1lp]

Thank you for sharing very informative.

[@imapip6313]

Thank You for the great tip.

[@farmergirlangie3469]

Great info, thanks

[@PranitaPathakOnline]

There r a few good and great men breathed on this earth.one is dear Logees.Respect from lndia

[@NC-qc7wd]

Thank you, you confirmed what I did. I new follower from Portugal.

[@sophielussier256]

I always use neem oil ! Great stuff !

[@fluffyboogsybo8686]

Thank you ! This is what I need right now.

[@LogeesPlants]

You're so welcome!

[@itssoashleigh]

Great video! Can you do a pest video for those little black flying bugs?

[@juliehenderson1672]

Thank you!

[@Tommyr]

Fantastic video!

[@LogeesPlants]

Thank you - glad you liked it!

[@pennymayo2332]

Good info

[@sarrakitty]

I use the Neem oil for this. Good stuff.

[@riss337]

I had some great results doing this with my monstera. Before I was wiping the leaves with alcohol to no end. I've been doing this regularly and closely watching my plant and they did see a few come back but it is much more manageable. I won't have to do it as frequently and hopefully, they'll be gone eventually. If you try this, a few things noticed is to be careful of some plants' leaves are more sensitive than others, especially any new growth!!. With my monstera, I damaged the leaves doing this because I didn't have the strong misting spray like in the video. I used a spray bottle that has a stream function on the nozzle, which ended up being too strong and when the alcohol hit the leaves it left them with black spots. The plant is fine but aesthetically it is not as nice anymore. Last, this has to be done in a well-ventilated area, it's not great to breathe in.

[@patriciaboschock2297]

My spritz bottle is done. I am off to get a pressure sprayer thanks!

[@723snoopy]

Please do thrips next!

[@tonyabrown39]

Thanks! I am so tired of finding tose things again and again

[@katherinehelms4512]

I had mealy bugs on my Rose of Sharon last summer and again this summer. Going to buy some neem oil and try.

[@VGB004]

Thanks for these tips I live in an apartment and I was scared that I was going to get infested so I just almost threw my perfect plant away but now I have a reason to keep it. 😊👍🌟

[@eightysev]

thank you!

[@LogeesPlants]

You're welcome!

[@sadielouwho5795]

Perfect timing and so glad you mentioned Qtips, thats what I have always used. I will be switching to the sprayer now. I am assuming it wasn't straight rubbing alcohol? If its a water/alcohol mix can you supply me with the ratio? Thank you so much!

[@LogeesPlants]

We recommend a 70% solution and we do not dilute it.

[@Bonniebrubeckjeter]

I have a problem with fungus gnats, what do we do about that?

[@amanda1willis827]

My plants are outside and they are still spreading like wildfire. I’ve been spraying them off the plant with a hose sprayer. I’m worried my in the ground plants will get infested at the rate these are going.

[@edwarddiekhoff859]

I’m throwing out my qtips.

[@garycard1456]

The isopropyl alcohol dissolves the waxy protective coating, causing the insect to desiccate. Can it also work for scale? I personally dilute 70% isopropyl alcohol 50 : 50 (by volume) with water, as I am concerned about the alcohol dissolving the protective waxy layer many plant species have on their stems and leaves. A word of caution: no sparks, flames or smoking when working with alcohol (for obvious reasons). Ventilate well to dissipate the flammable vapours.

[@LogeesPlants]

No, this is not as effective on scale.

[@garycard1456]

@@LogeesPlants Thought so!

[@donnameacham4426]

Can this way of getting rid of/controlling mealybugs also work on scale on citrus fruit trees

[@LogeesPlants]

This method is not as effective for treating scale.

[@chrisjordan213]

What ratio do you use for your spray of isopropyl alcohol and water (assuming it’s mixed!)

[@LogeesPlants]

We recommend a 70% solution and we do not dilute it.

[@tomjones2157]

Just to confirm, what strength is the Isopropyl alcohol at? 70% isoproply alcohol at full strength? Thanks!!

[@LogeesPlants]

Correct, we use a 70% solution and we do not dilute it.

[@garycard1456]

I've tried neem oil, but I have found that it leaves a sticky and oily residue on the leaves. Being organic and biodegradable, I have found that, after a few weeks, sooty mould grows on the the neem oil residues. Although sooty mould does not attack plant tissues, it can impair the plant's ability to photosynthesis at maximum efficiency. Could you recommend a good fungicide for removing sooty mould? Is copper fungicide (such as a water-based spray containing dissolved copper oxychloride or copper sulphate) effective? My outdoor plants are underneath an aspen tree, which is full of aphids (and welcome ladybugs!) during summer. The aphids cause sugary sap to drip onto my plants, attracting sooty mould.

[@LogeesPlants]

It sounds like the neem oil may be too thick, which is why there is residue. You may have to try 1 tbsp of Neem oil, 2 tsp. dish soap to 1 gallon of water. The dish soaps emulsifies and you get better coverage. Using this recipe we have never had any issues with sooty mold.

[@garycard1456]

@@LogeesPlants Thankyou, great advice!

[@chelinfusco6403]

Yes thank you for the tip. Now let us discuss how to get rid of Downy Mildew.

[@LogeesPlants]

Thank you for the suggestion.

[@janecurtis5726]

Are you using full strength 70% isopropyl alcohol?

[@LogeesPlants]

Yes, we recommend a 70% solution.

[@MosaicRose99]

So putting pure alcohol on the plant won't harm it? You don't have to dilute it with water?

[@LogeesPlants]

We use a 70% solution and we do not dilute it. Be sure to test on your plants first to make sure it is not phototoxic to your plants. For example, Streptocarpus are super sensitive so you would not use alcohol on them.

[@lesliefatland4613]

The 70% alcohol WILL ruin them if you do this method more than a couple of times... believe me.

[@1101naomi]

Are you using 100% alcohol? Is it diluted any?

[@LogeesPlants]

We recommend a 70% solution and we do not dilute it.

[@wonderwend1]

I just had to pay €18 for 500mls of isopropyl alcohol here in Ireland. It's NOT a cheap option here

[@onlytm981]

Did you find a better alternative? I'm in Ireland and preparing to tackle this problem

[@karanmyers5879]

Do you rinse off the alcohol?

[@LogeesPlants]

No, we do not rinse off the alcohol. We recommend a 70% solution and we do not dilute it.