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.
Jeremy says
These instructions are for indoor plants. What do you recommend for mealybugs that are infesting my backyard? There are a trio of tall trees of the same species along my fence that regularly get these large puffball mealybug colonies at the ends of each branch where it forms seeds, and I see the adult mealybugs hiding on the underside of most of the nearby leaves. They don’t seem to harm the trees, but there are possibly hundreds of these white puff balls, many too high to reach, and I think the wind is blowing them all across my yard and infecting some, but not all of the potted succulent plants. So no matter how much I kill them on the potted plants, they keep spreading throughout the yard. There’s especially one particular bush that’s just covered with them, and wiping each leaf with a cotton swab is not an option.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yuck, that sounds terrible! I would definitely try introducing some beneficial insects (like releasing ladybugs, lacewings, or beneficial nematodes) in your yard to help control the mealybug population for a long-term solution. For the short term, the best things to do are to spray them with a strong stream from the garden hose to dislodge them, and/or spray them with soapy water to kill them. For an infestation that large, it’s going to take time and diligence to get them under control, so be persistent.
Jojo says
My citrus trees come inside in winter but are outdoors in summer. I have used the neem oil and Castile soap spray outside and it has worked for my mealybug problem
Randy says
When I bring home a new plant I always dust them with some diatomaceous earth. Especially around the base and dirt area. On my regular houseplants I dust the dirt again after a few waterings. This seems to keep the population of mealies down pretty well.
Krisan says
Can I treat the dirt that my plants (that were all so infested they died) were once in? So I can reuse it, or must I start over? All my plants are dead now because of those stupid little bugs!! I’m so frustrated, I had beautiful mature plants that seemingly over night were gone.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Definitely start with fresh soil. You never want to reuse it, especially from a plant with a pest infestation like mealybugs. Otherwise, they will almost certainly infest your new plant as well. I also recommend thoroughly washing and disinfecting the pot, tray, and also the surrounding area before placing your new plant(s) there.
dakota says
Microwave it
meryl says
I often microwave the soil, especially orchid bark.
Vanessa Wilson says
Thank you this article has been very helpful ☺🌟
Amy Andrychowicz says
You’re welcome, glad you found it helpful! 🙂
Kitty Riggs says
Not only do we have a Mealy Bug plant infestation, but the have also infested our entire house. We just can’t seem to get control of them. Can’t spray Neem Oil in the house!
Anyone else have this problem?
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yes, mealybugs can live without a host plant for a while, and that’s part of what makes them so difficult to get rid of. I’ve never heard of them infesting a whole house though, that’s weird. You can spry neem oil inside the house, but it will only work on plants (the bugs have to eat it in order to die). For the ones that aren’t on a plant, I would use rubbing alcohol or soapy water to thoroughly wash the area. That will be the best way to kill any mealybugs you find that aren’t on a plant.
Erica Gonzales says
Hey!! I just ordered and received the Dr Brunner’s baby soap and exact Neem oil you recommended! Per liter of water what would be the best measurements? 1 tsp each? What do you recommend? Great article thanks!!
Amy Andrychowicz says
Awesome! Mix 1 1/2 teaspoons neem oil concentrate with 1 teaspoon mild liquid soap and
1 liter of water. You can find the exact instructions for how to use it, along with my detailed recipe here… How To Use Neem Oil Insecticide On Houseplants.
Laura says
What do you suggest we do with the stuff that looks like cotton wool? Should I try and clean it off somehow? Or will it go in its own as the bugs die?
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yes, clean off the stuff that looks like cotton. In doing so, you will also kill many of the mealybugs and their eggs. Eventually it will go away once you eliminate the bugs.
Barb says
Never give up. I cut my plant back to almost nothing – it is growing again – but of course the mealy bugs are also growing. But I will keep fighting the battle. I have almost thrown in the towel on this plant a few times but it’s special to me as I brought it from another city and I want to save it. I will not be defeated by these things. They have infested my other succulents but they are a lot bigger and hardier so I’m not as worried about them. NEVER GIVE UP!!
Amy Andrychowicz says
Thanks for sharing your story and encouragement. I hope you’ll be successful at getting rid of those nasty mealybugs soon!
Rhonda says
These evil little devils are the worst! I’ve been fighting a war with mealy bugs on my special rare plant that is 30 years old. I’m going to try all your steps. The one thing I haven’t done is spray Neem Oil every 2 weeks and keep fighting this war. A WAR it is! I’m exhausted from trying 🤦🏼♀️
Amy Andrychowicz says
Oh no, so sorry to hear that your rare plant has mealybugs. That is super frustrating! Yes, definitely try to the neem oil. That has worked like magic for me to get rid of these persistent pests on several of my plants. Good luck, and don’t give up. You will win this battle! 🙂
Rhonda Ward says
I would like to ask a question. I feel like an FBI AGENT with these mealy bugs. With certain plants that have grooves in the branch that extends forward and bark for a covering. I have spent at least over an hour with a tips n alcohol n then neem oil. But…. the bugs can hide under the bark. There must be a systemic ‘something’ that can travel through stems to leaves through bark. Any thoughts at all on that subject? Thank you!
Amy Andrychowicz says
Spraying neem oil on the stem where you see the mealybugs should work, it just takes some time for them to feed on it and die. So you have to be persistent and patient. Each time you spray the plant, make sure you cover the entire thing – stem leaves and all. You can also try using neem oil as a systemic pesticide, just pour it over the soil as well as spraying it on the plant. Be careful not to overwater in the process though. Here’s a post that will give you more details… How To Use Neem Oil Insecticide On Plants.
Stephanie says
I have read on some other pages, to take the plant from its pot and shake as much dirt away as possible rinse the roots and repot to help rid of Mealy Bugs, is this so? I Have a massive Jade about 40 lbs and 60″ in diameter, I don’t want to lose this plant and will do anything to make it better but I am afraid this may be too much shock. Thoughts?
Amy Andrychowicz says
I do not recommend using that method to try to get rid of mealybugs. Infested plants are already under stress, and repotting them will indeed cause shock – which can send unhealthy plants into a downward spiral, and end up killing them. Plus, removing all of the soil would be a lot of work for you, and certainly won’t kill ALL of the bugs and their eggs. Instead, use the methods I have detailed in this article for the best results.
Sophie says
I have a massive mealy bug infestation that started from a new succulent and has spread to every succulent and plant I own. I’m overwhelmed. Succulents are hard because they die if you water their leaves (once you spray their leaves they’re ruined for life) and when I’ve tried treating with insecticide safer soap the bugs won’t even dislodge from their roots and hide in the succulents leaves which are tiny. What do I do?? Do I waste all of my money and throw away every plant I own? I don’t want too but It’s bad.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Sorry to hear about your huge mealybug infestation. That’s very frustrating. However, while some plants can be damaged or even die if you spray them, many of them will be just fine. The best thing to do is spray a few leaves on each of your succulents, then wait a week or so to see if there is any damage. If there’s no damage, then it’s safe to spray the whole thing. I have only ever lost one plant to spraying, and I have a LOT of succulents. I highly recommend using neem oil in addition to your soapy spray. But remember, you can’t just spray the plant once or twice and expect to kill all of the mealybugs. You have to be persistent, and treat the plant regularly. It can take several months to completely eradicate a large population of mealybugs, they are a tough opponent. Don’t throw away all of your plants, you can get rid of them! It just takes time and patience.
Colleen says
My one plant had it and now I’m noticing it on a few others. It seems like the original plant, after I treated it, is just full on dying now no matter what I am doing to help it. It seems like there are no more mealy bugs but he’s just dying so quick I don’t know what to do.
Amy Andrychowicz says
What did you use to treat the mealybugs? Some types of plants are very sensitive to sprays, and they can cause more damage to the plant than the bugs.
Andrea says
For a mealy bug infestation on a big bowl of succulents, would you recommend soaking the whole plant /pot in a soap water bath for 15-20 min as you describe in your article on moving plants indoors from the outside?
The shape of the pot and the tightness of the plants to one another would make it difficult for me to rinse easily and get the bugs off in a tub or sink. Would soaking still kill the eggs and larvae and mealybug adults?
Amy Andrychowicz says
As long as the pot has drainage holes, you can soak it to kill the bulk of the mealybugs. They are difficult to get rid of with only one treatment, so I would recommend treating the plant with neem oil regularly until they are completely gone. Also, be sure to either put the plant in a different location, or thoroughly clean the spot it was in before putting it back. Mealybugs are excellent hiders, so they can reinfest the plant quickly if they are hiding somewhere nearby. Also make sure you scrub the pot as well as the drip tray (especially under the rim and on the bottom) because they like to hide in those places too.
Barb says
How often can I treat the plant with the soap and Neem oil? I have treated it twice now. I have cut back a lot of the plant in an effort to cut away the parts with the bugs but they are spreading like wildfire it seems. Can I cut back the plant entirely to just the new growth or is that too small and if they attack that I will lose the entire plant. I’m not sure what the plant is – a succulent of some sort. I brought it home from my last job in another city and it was doing really well, now it looks awful.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Use the neem oil and soap treatment every few weeks until you no longer see the bugs. It can take several months to eradicate a mealybug infestation that is as bad as what you’re describing. I recommend following the steps listed under the “My Proven Process For Long-Term Mealybug Control” section to help get rid of them faster.
Darlin D. Aviles says
I will surely follow these tips to the letter. Thank you for sharing!
Amy Andrychowicz says
You’re welcome!