What Are the White, Cottony Bugs on My Houseplants?

Hello from HealthyHousePlants.com! Today we’re going to answer the question: what are those fuzzy white things on my plants?

Well, the fuzzy white things on your plants are most likely mealy bugs. Mealy bugs look like this: you can see those fuzzy white things in there, and there are quite a few of them. They are sucking insect pests, which means that they feed on your plants by sucking out plant juices. As they do so, they excrete a sticky liquid that will fall onto your furniture and floor, creating a lot of mess.

One of the bigger problems with mealy bugs is that they will suck the energy out of your plants. For example, with a particular Hoya plant, they can knock the blooms right off and even cause leaves to fall. If the infestation gets really bad, they can kill a plant or at least make it look very unhealthy.

A great way to treat mealy bugs is by using isopropyl alcohol, also known as rubbing alcohol. I use it straight, so I put it in a spray bottle. You want to use a fine mist to really soak the mealy bugs. You can find them on flowers, leaves, the underside of leaves, and in the furled-up parts of other plants with curled leaves. Spray the affected areas well, and then you can remove the bugs. You can let it dry or do it right away; letting it dry might be better.

To remove the mealy bugs, use a toothpick—either plastic or wooden—or a cotton swab. The cotton swab works really well, though you’ll need more than one. Keep cleaning it out until you get a lot of the bugs removed. After that, rinse the plant well with water, gently shake it off, and repeat the process every two or three days for about a week. Once a week, you can switch to treating every two weeks. Eventually, you’ll get rid of the mealy bugs, though they may crop up occasionally. Make sure to keep checking for them.

This is a really quick, easy, and inexpensive way to get rid of mealy bugs on your houseplants. Please leave comments about any other indoor gardening tutorials you’d like to see, and remember to like, comment, subscribe, and share this video.

FAQ: Mealy Bugs on Houseplants

What are those fuzzy white things on my plants?

The fuzzy white things on your plants are most likely mealy bugs. They are sucking insect pests that feed on your plants by sucking out plant juices. As they feed, they excrete a sticky liquid that can fall onto your furniture and floor, creating a mess.

What problems do mealy bugs cause?

Mealy bugs suck the energy out of your plants, which can lead to a variety of issues. For example, they can knock blooms off plants, cause leaves to fall, and if the infestation is severe, they can kill the plant or make it look very unhealthy.

How can I treat mealy bugs on my plants?

To treat mealy bugs, use isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol). Put it in a spray bottle and use a fine mist to soak the mealy bugs. Spray the affected areas, including flowers, leaves, and the underside of leaves. You can remove the bugs using a toothpick or cotton swab. After cleaning, rinse the plant with water and repeat the process every two or three days for about a week. Then, switch to treating every two weeks. Continue to check for mealy bugs regularly.

Why should I use isopropyl alcohol to treat mealy bugs?

Isopropyl alcohol is effective at killing mealy bugs and removing them from your plants. It helps to break down their protective coating and disrupt their feeding process. It’s an easy and inexpensive treatment option.

How often should I treat my plants for mealy bugs?

Initially, treat your plants every two or three days for about a week. After that, switch to treating once a week, and eventually every two weeks. Continue to monitor your plants regularly to catch any new infestations early.

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