What Naturally Kills Mealy Bugs?

Use a plain jet of water to disrupt the bugs’ feeding, and spray plants with neem oil to discourage the bugs from coming back. Neem oil spray will not affect bees, making it ideal for the pollinator-friendly landscape. You can also kill mealybugs directly by wiping them with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.

How do you kill mealybugs fast?

Spot Treatment with Isopropyl Alcohol
On small infestations on houseplants, a 70% or less solution of isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol in water may be dabbed directly on mealybugs with a cotton swab to kill them or remove them.

Can vinegar kill mealybugs?

Take 1 ounce of apple cider vinegar and mix it with 2-3 ounces of water. Pour this liquid into a garden sprayer and spray in the evening. Apple cider vinegar stops the molting process of mealybugs, and will also help to kill the majority of pests on the plants.

Does Dawn dish soap kill mealybugs?

Homemade dish soap spray – Soap will suffocate mealybugs. Combine 1 tablespoon of dish soap with a quart of water and spray down your plant. Test the spray on one leaf before applying to the rest, and repeat every few days as needed.

Will cinnamon kill mealybugs?

Cinnamon is known to have anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and drying properties, so it’s also great for the garden. It will prevent fungus that attracts fungus gnats, for starters. If you’ve got scale, aphids or mealy bugs you can create a mix of cinnamon and water and spray over the plants.

How do you kill mealy bugs without killing plants?

Eliminating Mealybugs the Natural Way
For less accessible places in the plant you can use a cotton swab. Soak the cotton with alcohol and remove the mealybugs. If the plant is quite large or you have many infected plants, you can spray the plants with a mixture of rubbing alcohol and liquid soap well diluted in water.

What kills mealybugs in the soil?

While many plant pesticides will kill mealybugs, the best solution I’ve found to kill them is 70% isopropyl alcohol. Many people recommend using q-tips to dab on the alcohol, but I’ve found that a spray bottle is much more effective and easier to use.

How do you treat mealybugs organically?

Use a plain jet of water to disrupt the bugs’ feeding, and spray plants with neem oil to discourage the bugs from coming back. Neem oil spray will not affect bees, making it ideal for the pollinator-friendly landscape. You can also kill mealybugs directly by wiping them with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.

What causes mealybugs infestation?

Mealybugs are attracted to plants with high nitrogen levels and soft growth; they may appear if you overwater and over-fertilize your plants.

How do you stop mealy bugs on plants?

Coat your plants in neem oil to keep mealybugs from eating your plant. Neem oil is a natural protective coating that will coat your plants in a nutrient-rich oil and make it harder for bugs to feed. Purchase some neem oil from a gardening store.

Will hydrogen peroxide get rid of mealybugs?

You can also try mixing 1 part hydrogen peroxide without any additives to 5 parts water. You will want to make sure all of the soil gets very wet. The hydrogen peroxide should fizzle and that is what will kill the root Mealybugs.

Do mealybugs live in soil?

Mealybugs can live in the soil of a houseplant, so if a plant is plagued by recurring infestations, you could try removing the top inch of dirt from the pot and replacing it with fresh potting soil.

Will cinnamon water hurt plants?

Even with its strong smell, cinnamon will not cause any harm to the plants. In fact, not only will it not injure plants, its antibacterial qualities can also help to prevent mold or mildew from appearing on the soil surface as well, further protecting the plants.

How does dish soap kill mealybugs?

Adult mealybugs are covered in a waxy coating, which makes them difficult to control. Soap breaks down the bugs’ waxy protection and the insects dehydrate, but soap also contains harsh chemicals that can damage plants.

Do mealy bugs hate garlic?

Garlic and compounds derived from the plant are also effective insecticides and show some success in reducing feeding damage and repelling pests. Compounds derived from garlic bulbs have insecticidal properties. They can kill at least two species of mealybug.

Will mealy bugs ever go away?

It may take weeks or even months of constant vigilance to end your mealybug woes. Even if you don’t see any on the plant, they are tiny, so they can’t really be seen unless there’s a lot of them; that, and they may emerge from crevices and hiding spots from the area around the plant just when you think they’re gone.

Can plants recover from mealybugs?

The mealy situations mentioned above are bearable, and plants such as these will most likely recover quickly with a little assistance. Other times though, the plant can be so infested and damaged, that it’s best to just KILL IT WITH FIRE!

What causes mealybugs on plants?

Mealybugs seemingly appear out of nowhere, but oftentimes, they’re brought into your home by way of another plant from the nursery or plant store, according to Leaf and Clay. Mealybugs are highly attracted to moisture, so they often gravitate to over-watered plants.

How long can mealy bugs live in soil?

On standard plants, they may hide under the tape on the garden stakes. Honeydew, sooty mold and the presence of ants may also be signs of a mealybug infestation. Mealybugs can live for 2 to 3 weeks without hosts.

How do I get rid of mealybugs without alcohol?

Mix together water, liquid dish soap, and neem oil in a spray bottle. Use 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of neem oil and 2-3 drops of dish soap. Neem oil is a vegetable oil that comes from neem trees that can be used to kill mealybugs. Spray the plant you’re treating until it’s soaked.

What essential oils deter mealybugs?

Essential Oils
Studies reveal that peppermint, citrus, and thyme-leaved savory essential oils are the most effective against the vine mealybug [2]. Lavender and cinnamon oil are others that repel insects. However, some oils can damage plants if overused, so be careful when using them.