How to Get Rid of Mealybugs on Houseplants

Hello and welcome to HealthyHouseplants.com, where we teach you all about gardening in the great indoors. Today’s video is sponsored by our Amazon affiliate link, which you’ll see in the comment section below.

Okay, so today’s video I’m calling “Mealy Bug Eradication: Tough Love.” I have been followed by mealy bugs, tormenting me since I was a little kid. I started gardening indoors at the age of seven, around the time I was about eleven. I had inadvertently brought in a mealy bug-ridden plant into my many, many plants because, by that time, I had a lot of plants. My parents were very tolerant and let me keep plants in the windows and in various areas of our home. At the time, we were living on the East Coast, in Massachusetts, where it all started.

I had a mealy bug invasion, and it was horrifying. I was so upset that my mother said I cried for days. We went and got the chemical of choice at the time because this was the 1970s. I don’t remember what it was, but it was very toxic. I followed directions but ended up killing a lot of my plants with it. Hence, in later years, I wrote this book, Indoor Gardening the Organic Way. It really stemmed from that and many other reasons, but mainly to promote a healthier home.

So, what happened with the mealy bugs? As I said, mealy bugs have tormented me, and if I ever have a problem, it’s going to be with mealy bugs cropping up again. That did happen with these pothos a couple of months ago. I noticed some mealy bugs popping up, so I wanted to show you what mealy bugs look like. This is a little bug that looks like cotton—a white mass. If you look really close, you can see that they look like a funky, shield-shaped, flat insect with this white stuff on the outside. So, if you see white and cottony stuff on your plants, that is mealy bugs. Fortunately, these guys don’t have them anymore.

I have been treating them, as I suggest, with isopropyl alcohol, spraying and rinsing them. The problem is that you really need to be consistent. You need to do that once a week: douse them in the alcohol, rinse them, and keep an eye on them. Repotting is good because it allows you to remove any mealy bug larvae or eggs from the soil. It’s a lot of work, and I have been busy, so I wasn’t really keeping up on it. I noticed the mealy bugs were becoming very persistent.

In the past, I have successfully used this method with other plants. Now that we are coming into spring in many parts of the Western Hemisphere, you can do this as well. By “tough love,” I mean I put the plants outside. What happens when you put the plants outside is that there are lots of insects. If you have a garden that you’re not treating with chemical pesticides, there will be many beneficial insects outdoors that will say, “Mmmm, yummy mealy bugs!” The mealy bugs have been grown indoors and are nice and plump and fat, making them a tasty treat for outdoor insects.

What happens is that those outdoor insects will do the job for you and eat all the mealy bugs on your plant. Rain also helps wash things off as well. However, you will see that even after a rainstorm, if you don’t brush your hands along the mealy bugs, those little suckers are still clinging on even after being rinsed.

Another benefit of putting them outdoors is that you will see the mealy bugs are just gone! The outdoor insects love the taste of them. I’m sure mealy bugs are full of protein and sugars, making them a tasty treat. When mealy bugs feed on the foliage, they convert what they are feeding on into a sticky substance that resembles honey. That’s why things like ants are often found on your plants. If you see ants on your plants, they are usually after the honey-like substance produced by mealy bugs and aphids.

However, when you get these plants outside, it becomes a survival of the fittest. Other insects will eat the mealy bugs on your houseplants. I live in Southern California, so I was able to do this even during our colder times. I wouldn’t go any lower than the mid-40s at night, and it’s very important to remember that these plants have been growing indoors and are not used to full sun. So, make sure to put them in a shaded, sheltered location; otherwise, you will get leaf burn.

I noticed that one of my plants had a little bit of leaf burn because I had moved it to a spot with too much sun. Leaf burn will usually present as lesions within the leaf itself, which can be black when it’s severe. In this case, the damage was brown, so it wasn’t as bad.

Keep in mind that you do want to shelter your plants while they’re outside. I have done this with other plants, and now they’re fine back indoors again. Keep them well-watered and check how they’re doing. Watch to see if the insects are dining on them. Wait a couple of months; it might even be three to four months.

Now that we are coming into spring, if you’re able to do this with a plant, you might be able to keep the pests at bay. Once you have them outside, you can leave them out until May or June, or even July, depending on where you live and if it’s not getting too hot. Give the predators a chance to dine on them. Once you bring them back in, you’ll want to keep an eye on them and ensure they aren’t developing any problems.

Interestingly, you often hear how important it is to ensure that houseplants are free of pests when you bring them in for the fall and winter. While that’s important, it can be even more problematic to have pest insects on your houseplants indoors. Our indoor environments are perfect for breeding pests.

If you’re having problems with mealy bugs, give tough love a try and see how it works for you. You want to keep an eye on the plants and ensure they are adapting okay to the outdoors so that you don’t lose them from other issues. Otherwise, this method should work well for you, especially if you have a persistent problem with pests such as mealy bugs.

Thank you for stopping by today! Please leave comments about any indoor gardening tutorials you’d like to see, and remember to like, comment, subscribe, and share this video.

Frequently Asked Questions about Mealy Bug Eradication

What are mealy bugs?

Mealy bugs are small insects that resemble white cotton masses on plants. They are shield-shaped and can be found on the foliage, where they feed and reproduce.

How can I identify mealy bugs on my plants?

Look for a white, cotton-like substance on the leaves or stems of your plants. If you see white, fluffy masses, those are likely mealy bugs.

What treatment do you recommend for mealy bug infestations?

It is suggested to use isopropyl alcohol. Spray the affected plants weekly, rinsing them afterwards to help eliminate the bugs and their larvae.

Can I put my plants outside to get rid of mealy bugs?

Yes, placing plants outside can expose them to beneficial insects that feed on mealy bugs. Ensure the plants are kept in a shaded area to avoid sunburn.

How long should I keep my plants outside to get rid of mealy bugs?

It’s recommended to leave your plants outside for a few months during the warmer months, keeping an eye on their health and monitoring for pests.

What should I do if my plants get sunburned while outside?

If your plants experience leaf burn, move them to a shadier spot immediately. Leaf burn can appear as black or brown lesions on the leaves.

How often should I check on my plants while they are outside?

Regularly check your plants to ensure they are adapting well to the outdoor conditions and to see if any pests are still present.

What happens if I bring my plants back indoors after treating them for pests?

Once back indoors, monitor your plants closely for any signs of pests. Indoor environments can be ideal for pest reproduction.

Are there any preventative measures I can take to avoid mealy bugs?

To prevent mealy bugs, regularly inspect your plants, maintain healthy growing conditions, and avoid bringing infested plants indoors.

What other pests should I be aware of when dealing with mealy bugs?

Aphids and scale insects are similar pests that also produce a sticky substance that attracts ants, indicating an issue.

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