Q&A for How to Kill Mealybugs

We typically see them in damp, dark areas, such as basements and under foundations. If the basement isn't sealed off properly, for example, the downstairs door has a gap underneath it, then you will get more mealybugs. A door sweep with some proper weather stripping could prevent an infestation. You could also use dehumidifiers.

Yes. You can use neem oil or ginger oil to get rid of bugs.

Yes, this will generally work to repel them. Bugs do not like ginger and will tend to leave your house alone if you spray the surroundings of your house with the ginger water.

Sure. It can kill spiders and other insects, too. Just put 10-15 drops and 8 oz of water in a spray bottle and spray anywhere you think there are bugs.

Yes, that can help kill mealybugs! It also works as an anti-fungal, so it's extra helpful for your plant!

Yes, cedar oil can kill mealy bugs and various other insects, including mosquitoes, ticks, etc., if you spray on them directly. It makes the insect suffocate or dehydrate, which then causes them to die.

Yes, the flowers and the foliage should be fine, as long as you dilute the oil in water.

Yes, neem oil diluted in water works to kill mealybugs, and is also an antifungal.

Yes, wintergreen alcohol is effective against mealybugs! Just like with rubbing alcohol, be sure to target the infested areas, and try not to get too much on healthy parts of the plants!

Neem oil spray is a great oil for controlling pests on hibiscus. You can also, like it states in this article, mix dish soap with water and use that as a spray. Some pesticides sprays safe for hibiscus are acephate, azadirachtin, carbaryl, and malathion.

No, bug bombs do not kill houseplants or outdoor plants. Just be sure that the amount being used isn't too much, and that it's used as directed.

Is it exposed to sunlight? This could be sunburn, in which case, make sure when you water it doesn't touch the fronds, or remove from direct sunlight. If it is fungal looking, it could be palm fungus or white scale. Both can be treated with pruning and rubbing alcohol.

Mealybug eggs are fuzzy white masses, almost like cobwebs. They are usually on the leaves of plants.

What you have is most likely spider mites. However, rubbing alcohol should help. Continue being persistent in your application. If it doesn't work, try a plant safe pesticide. Try multiple until finding one that works, and if none do, consider calling professional pest control.

Yes, but dilute it with water first, and do not spray too often, as acid can kill your plant if used a lot over time.

There are a few ways. You can use plant safe pesticides, or place baited poison ant traps near the plant. Another solution is to mix pesticide with water, and soak your soil for twenty minutes or so.

Apple cider vinegar specifically is great for killing mealybugs, and it can even stop them from reproducing. Follow the advice in this article by coating the leaves and stems, making sure your plant is shaded, and repeating every time you see new bugs until they're all gone!

By surf water, do you mean the brand of water? If so, plain water will not kill mealybugs. If you mean saltwater, that doesn't work either. At least, not just sprayed. If your plant is big enough to use a high pressured stream of water, that can knock mealybugs and their eggs off plants.

Yes! It is really effective against mealybugs! But there is a way to make the spray. To make the spray, mix 1/2 to 1 cup of rubbing alcohol with 1 quart of water in a pump-spray bottle. It's a good idea to test spray one leaf of an infested plant and wait a day to check for damage.

Hydrogen peroxide does not kill mealybugs, so don't try it. Essential oils like peppermint oil, however, will work, as well as plant safe insecticides. Also, try the mixtures in the article.

Essential oils like peppermint or thyme oil can be used to kill mealybugs. So can a 50/50 mixture of milk and water, although milk isn't always effective.

Yes, but it's not as effective as other essential oils. It usually kills about 50% of mealybugs. With repeated treatment, you could get rid of an infestation. If you'd rather use a more effective essential oil, try peppermint or thyme oil.

Yes, but with this kind of treatment, try to avoid spraying too much of the plant's surface. Only spray areas where you can see bugs and eggs. It might be safer to use a cotton ball drenched in the mixture instead of a spray, so less of the non-infested plant is affected.

Milk and water can work. It is not always effective, but it is very healthy for your plants as a fertilizer and antifungal, and sometimes will drive bugs away, so it's worth a try! A 50/50 milk to water ratio works best.

It will not if you dilute it with water. Also, if your cyclops is usually in the sun, make sure you place it in the shade afterwards, or spray at night, so that the plant doesn't get sunburnt.

Yes, tea tree oil can kill mealybugs. It also acts as a fungicide, so it is doubly helpful!

Yes, it does. It's especially helpful when dealing with a whole garden or lawn infestation.

Yes! Use a plant safe insecticide or the mixtures described above, and either spray or use a cotton ball drenched in the mixture to spread onto leaves and petals.

Yes, this works, as it will kill almost all the mealybugs (usually about 98%). However, be careful, as it could kill your plant if done for too long or too often. Maybe try thirty minutes instead of a few hours, to lower the risk.

Yes, picking off the mealybugs and disposing them away from your garden helps. Try physically picking off as many as you can, then spraying with insecticide or the mixtures provided in this article. Repeatedly doing this should eventually fully get rid of them.