If you see what looks like white fluffy cotton on a houseplant, it’s a sure sign that you have a mealybug infestation. Booo!
These common pests are clever little devils – they like to hide and then come back for the sneak attack. From a distance they don’t look like bugs, so you might not even notice them until your plant is covered.
Getting rid of mealybugs on indoor plants can be tough, but IS possible. In this detailed guide, I will show you exactly how to eliminate them using natural treatment methods, and prevent them from ever coming back.
What Are Mealybugs?
Mealybugs are a type of scale insect that sucks the sap out of leaves and stems, resulting in stunted or deformed growth, yellowing of the leaves, and leaf drop.
These little white bugs usually cluster on new growth, along the veins of leaves, and at the leaf joints, but you can find them anywhere on a plant.
Mealybug damage is not as quick or as devastating as spider mites on houseplants. But if you don’t do anything, they can eventually kill your plant. Although that usually takes a long time and a very large infestation.
What Do They Look Like?
Mealybugs are tiny white bugs that can sometimes appear brown or cream colored. Their bodies are usually waxy and look like they’re covered in powder.
The first thing most people notice is the white fuzzy egg masses, rather than the insects. So at a glance it’s easy to mistake them for fungus or mildew. Gross!
Mealybugs can’t fly. So if the white bugs you see start flying around when you disturb the plant, those are whiteflies, and here’s how to get rid of them.
Mealybugs Life Cycle
The full life cycle a mealybug is about 7-10 weeks. It takes a week or two for the eggs to hatch into nymphs, and then another 6-9 weeks for the nymphs to mature into adults.
There can be several generations at once, and their life cycles overlap. Meaning that once they get started, their population can grow very quickly.
Since the eggs and nymphs are so small, it takes a while for the population to get large enough to see them. So most people don’t notice them until after their plant is infested.
Related Post: How To Get Rid Of Aphids On Houseplants
Where Do Mealybugs Come From?
Like I said before, these darn things are very sneaky. One day everything is fine, and the next day your indoor plant is covered with sticky white cotton.
This can leave you wondering what causes mealybugs in the first place? As with any other pest, they can come from anywhere. Here are the most common causes…
- Bringing home a new plant that has them.
- Using contaminated potting soil.
- Putting houseplants outside during the summer.
- Bringing fresh flowers, fruits, or vegetables in from your garden, or even the grocery store.
- Ants sometimes bring them to a plant so they can feed off of the sweet honeydew residue that mealybugs excrete.
Read more about where houseplant bugs can come from.
How To Get Rid Of Mealybugs On Houseplants
When you first spot mealybugs on any of your indoor plants, you should begin treatment immediately to get rid of them as quickly as possible. Here are some things to keep in mind.
- Quarantine the affected plant(s) to prevent the infestation from spreading to others.
- Inspect your plant from several angles, because these elusive creatures like to hide.
- Be sure to look under every leaf, around the leaf joints, in any folds, and at the base of the stem.
- Also check around the edges of the pot, as well as on the bottom, as sometimes you can find them hiding there.
Tips For Treating Mealybugs On Plants
My best advice to you is be persistent. You can’t just spray a plant once, and expect the mealybugs to disappear. It will take several treatments to get rid of all of them.
It can take a few weeks, or even months to kill the entire population. So be sure to inspect your houseplant daily and kill any new ones that you see right away.
Also, always use organic products and natural methods. I don’t recommend using synthetic pesticides, because mealybugs are resistant or can build up a resistance to these chemicals.
So skip the toxic stuff and use the safer techniques that I’ve listed below. Learn more about natural houseplant pest control methods and remedies here.
Keep in mind that some types of soaps and sprays, even organic ones, can damage sensitive plants. So always test the solution on a few leaves before spraying the entire thing.
Rubbing Alcohol
One way to treat the mealybugs on your houseplants is to touch them with a cotton swab that you soaked in rubbing alcohol.
The rubbing alcohol will kill the bugs immediately, but it must come in direct contact with them. So this method works well for a small outbreak, but it can be a bit tedious for a large infestation.
Insecticidal Soap
You can buy an organic insecticidal soap, or make your own. My recipe for homemade mealybug spray is 1 tsp of mild liquid soap per 1 liter of water.
If the plant is small enough, bring it to the sink or shower to wash the leaves, and then give it a good rinse. This will kill a large number of the adults, nymphs, and eggs, and help to give you the upper hand.
Insecticidal soaps don’t have any residual effect, so it’s important to continue to spray regularly until there are no more signs of bugs.
Neem Oil
Neem oil is a natural product that is very effective for getting rid of mealybugs on houseplants, and it has a residual effect to keep them away too.
But you still have to be persistent with your treatments, because it can take several applications to completely eliminate an infestation.
It can also take a couple of days before it starts to kick in. So be patient, and continue to reapply it every few weeks until all of the bugs are gone.
Related Post: How To Use Neem Oil On Houseplants
My 5 Step Process For Long-Term Mealybug Control
Mealybugs are tough to get rid of, and the process can be super frustrating (trust me, I’ve been there many, many times myself).
Over the years, I’ve had to fight this battle a lot. So I came up with a repeatable and proven process for long-term control that works every time. Below are the steps to take.
Supplies Needed
- Insecticidal soap or mild liquid soap
- Rubbing alcohol
- Cotton balls or a rag
- Neem oil
- Cotton swabs
Step 1: Wash the plant and pot – Bring the infested plant to a sink or bathtub to thoroughly wash the leaves and stems, then rinse it off. You can use insecticidal soap for this, or make your own by mixing 1 tsp of mild liquid soap with 1 liter of water.
Be sure to also wash the bottom of the pot and the drip tray. Then inspect it from top to bottom and along the soil line to see if there are any hiding mealybugs.
Step 2: Disinfect and inspect the area – Next, wash the area where the infested plant was sitting with soapy water. Then soak a cotton ball or rag in rubbing alcohol and use it to disinfect every nook and cranny.
If there are other houseplants nearby, inspect them thoroughly for any signs of bugs (after washing your hands of course).
Step 3: Spray neem oil – Once the leaves are dry, spray the entire plant with neem oil and move it to a location far away from all of your other indoor plants.
Step 4: Check daily – Inspect the infested plant every day for any signs of mealybugs. If you find any, use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to kill each one.
You should also keep a close eye on any plants that were sitting near the infested one to make sure they didn’t spread. Be sure to wash your hands after touching each plant.
Step 5: Repeat – If you’re still finding mealybugs every day for a week straight, spray the plant again with neem oil. Otherwise treat it every few weeks until you no longer find any mealybugs.
Once you’re sure your plant is bug-free, it’s safe to add it back to your collection.
How To Prevent Mealybugs From EVER Coming Back
Most of the time mealybugs don’t appear to move, but they can crawl around and infest other houseplants in the area. The worst part is that they can live in tiny spaces and crevices for a long time without a host plant.
So just when you think you have conquered the beast, they will come out of hiding and re-infest your indoor plants when you’re not looking.
But don’t worry, there are measures you can take to prevent mealybugs from ever coming back. Here are some tips.
- If one of your plants is plagued by recurring infestations, try removing the top inch of soil. Then wash the inside rim with soapy water or disinfect it with rubbing alcohol, and add fresh potting soil.
- Thoroughly clean the area and any nearby crevices or potential hiding spots. Be sure check under the outside lip edges and the bottoms of both the pot and the tray.
- Once you have the infestation under control, move your plant to a new location to get it away from any mealybugs that might be hiding in the spot where it was sitting before.
- I know it’s tempting, but never repot an infested plant. It’s already under a lot of stress from the bugs, and the added transplant shock could end up killing it.
It’s hard to get rid of all of the mealybugs the first few times you try. Even if you are able to kill all of the adults, the nymphs and eggs are tiny and easy to overlook. It can be frustrating, but it’s worth it to save your favorite houseplants. Watch my web story for more tips.
If you are tired of constantly battling bugs on your indoor plants, then my Houseplant Pest Control eBook is for you. It will help you identify the bugs that are infesting your plants, show you exactly how to get rid of them, AND arm you with the tools you need to keep those nasty pests away FOR GOOD! Download your copy today
More About Houseplant Pest Control
- How To Get Rid Of Houseplant Bugs Naturally
- How To Debug Plants Before Bringing Them Indoors
- How To Get Rid Of Fungus Gnats In Houseplant Soil
- How To Get Rid Of Thrips On Indoor Plants
- How To Get Rid Of Scale Insects On Houseplants
How do you get rid of mealybugs on houseplants? Share your treatment tips in the comments below.
C-Green says
I live in zone 9B. I have had these beautiful mums for 4 years. Every year at this time they show the stupid mealy bugs & of course some others plants have gotten it too. It doesn’t matter what I spray them with, it’s always back: I have soaked them with neem oil, water & soap, mix of things shown in YouTube like garlic, ginger, baking soda, last year a professional in the subject that works in my community, came and spray them with the commercial spray they use. Always hopeful & always disappointed. Yesterday I made the decision of getting rid of them : ( I did as softly as I could trying not to spread it to other plants. I took out as much roots as I could. I sprayed the area with root killer. When it dried, I made a solution of water, soap, alcohol and neem oil & soaked the whole area. I’ll continue to do that every day for a week and then every other day. I think I’ ll let it rest for a week or so before I replant. Hopeful once again.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Oh no, that sounds very frustrating. One of the best ways to fight bugs in the garden (including mealybugs) is to use beneficial insects like ladybugs, praying mantis, or beneficial nematodes. I have my fingers crossed that the new plant you put in that spot won’t have any issues. Good luck!
Rhonda says
Try washing in dawn warm soapy water in sink. The water needs to be slight warmer than our skin. Then I add new soil and replant after.
Betty says
Hi, can I use seven in sevi on my infected plants? I’ve used it on my Rose’s Bushes and Tomatoe Plants many times it always takes care of the problem! Please let me know what you think? Thank’s Betty
Amy Andrychowicz says
I don’t recommend that product because it’s a synthetic chemical and not organic/natural (especially on vegetables!). Plus mealybugs can build up a resistance to chemical pesticides over time.
Ben says
My bird of paradise got infested this year with mealy bugs and it spread to my Sabel Palm. I honestly don’t see any bugs, just the chalky dust. My plants are large and go outside in the summer so I sprayed them off. But now I’m worried that the bugs are all over the ground, and could infect my entire back yard. Should I be worried? The neem oil I bought came in a spray bottle so I don’t think I need to mix it with water. Should I still add dish soap? I also was told to buy a systemic. (Bioadvanced tree and shrub) Will the systemic kill the bugs that landed in the potting soil?
Amy Andrychowicz says
You don’t have to worry that mealybugs are going to take over your entire backyard because there are natural predators outside that will feed on them and help to keep them under control. Reading the instructions on the specific product(s) that you have is the best way to make sure you’re using them correctly. I personally do not use the systemic product you’re referring to because it is a chemical and not organic.
emily lev says
My plant is fairly large and not easily transportable. I cannot put it in the sink either.
Should I leave the plant outside for a few days while treating it with the water and mild soap solution? Or do I treat the plant exactly where it is situated?
thank you!
Amy Andrychowicz says
You can skip that first step and just use a cotton swab and/or cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol to wipe off as many of the mealybugs that you can find. Then you can soak a rag (or also use a cotton swab/ball) in the neem oil mixture, and rub it on the leaves and stems to apply it in stead of spraying.
Pippi says
Hi, my 40 year old HUGE hoya is too big to move, but I will try. ‘she’ has moved several times with me and sometimes mistreated, but has never experienced mealybugs until now. ‘She’ is indoors in my coastal California home and is infested! Some of her ‘offspring’ are also large plants now and show signs of mealybugs. I check weekly and spray. I missed a week and now plant showing dead trails ( which I have cut off) Bugs have traveled to other hoyas, but not my other plants. I will try your suggestions this weekend, check roots etc. and hopefully I can save my 40 year old hoya. Thank you for your insight !
Amy Andrychowicz says
Oh no, so sorry to hear your plant is infested with mealybugs. If you haven’t tried treating it with neem oil yet, I would highly recommend giving it a try. Just be sure to test it on a few leaves and let it sit for a couple of days to make sure it doesn’t cause any damage before you spray the whole plant. Good luck!
Karen says
I’ve never had these before on any of my garden plants! I first noticed them on my tomatoes and now they are on my hibiscus plants. How often can you spray the neem oil? So happy I found your site.
Amy Andrychowicz says
You can apply it every few weeks until you don’t see anymore bugs, here’s more info about it. However, for a mealybug infestation in the garden, I highly recommend enlisting beneficial predatory insects to help maintain a healthy, pest-free garden long term. You can apply beneficial nematodes and release ladybugs as a good first step, and get on a schedule to apply/release them every season. Here are more tips for how to maintain a balanced and healthy garden as a natural form of pest control.
Jojo says
Just wanted to say thanks! I made up some spray with Castile soap and neem oil and it actually works fantastic! I have a lemon tree and orange tree that have had mealybugs for 2 years since I bought them. I gave been battling with alcohol and washing up liquid soray fir 2 years. It kept them down but they cane back and the alcohol dried up the leaves and they dropped off on the orange plant. I was going to give up this year but came across this and they have gone within 3 days of spraying! Great stuff!
Amy Andrychowicz says
You’re welcome! So happy to hear the spray worked for you. Keep a close eye on your plants over the next several months because mealybugs don’t usually go away completely with just one treatment. You may have to spray it a few times to eliminate them for good.
Ta'Myia says
I’ll be trying your tips tomorrow, wish me luck. My flowers I grew are very important to me because I started after my doctor suggested it to keep my mind off of things. I was fighting addiction, and my plants have been my get away while staying sober so I definitely don’t want to lose my marigolds, bachelor button, morning glories, dragon flowers, pink mandevilla, zianna, or any other of my babies I’ve works SO hard on 🙁 I sprayed pesticides (3 in 1 organic) and saw a large number of them leave my marigolds but then noticed one on my bachelor button seedlings. I have a big flower party going on on my porch so I have my work cut out for me tomorrow after work haha. THANKS again and hugs from Alabama!
Amy Andrychowicz says
Good luck!! It can be a lot of work getting mealybugs under control when you have a large collection of plants, but definitely worth it to save all of your babies! Keep up on treating them, and the mealybugs will eventually be gone for good.