How to Control Mealybugs on Indoor Plants

Co-authored by Chris Parker

Last Updated: May 14, 2023 Approved

If you enjoy live plants from the comfort of inside, you may want to learn how to control mealybugs on indoor plants. Mealybugs are sap-drinking insects that can cause a great deal of damage in a short amount of time. They produce honeydew, which attracts ants and encourages the growth of fungus called black mold. Mealybugs are found in almost all growing regions on the globe. Controlling mealybugs on your indoor plants is a very important step in maintaining plant health. Mealybug infestation can occur rapidly and increase exponentially, causing a prize indoor plant to do poorly or even die.

Steps

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Mealybugs thrive in a nitrogen-rich soil, so be careful that you only feed your plants when necessary. ^{[2]
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Remove mealybugs with a cloth or paper towel, making sure that you squish them instead of just displacing them. Immediately wash out rags. If you are using paper towels, place used towels in a plastic sack and discard.
- Remember to look for eggs sacks and remove those as well. The egg sacks will look like small cotton balls attached to the plant.
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Spray the indoor plant with an oil spray or soap spray. These sprays will suffocate or dry out the mealybugs and kill them. ^{[5]
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Go to source} However, it is very difficult to get the egg sacks and crawlies that have gone into places where the spray cannot reach.
- Spray a mealybug-specific pesticide onto the plant to get immediate results on mealybug control. Pesticide sprays, however, are only a short-term solution for mealybug control and should not be used as the only method of controlling the infestation.
Sometimes it may be virtually impossible to get a mealybug infestation under control, and the best course of action may be to replace the plant with one that is not infected.

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How can you deal with an infestation of mealybugs inside the home?

Chris Parker
Pest Control Specialist
Chris Parker is the Founder of Parker Eco Pest Control, a sustainable pest control service in Seattle, Washington. Since 2016, Chris has been specializing in Integrated Pest Management and doesn’t use any chemicals for pest removal. He offers removal services for ants, rodents, fleas, spiders, wasps, and more. Chris is a certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator in Washington State and received his bachelor’s from the University of Washington.

Chris Parker

Pest Control Specialist

Expert Answer

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.

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I used most of the methods listed above and it hasn't worked. What should I do?

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Mix Dawn soap and alcohol in a spray bottle and spray down the plant and the top of the soil. Let it dry, and do it again. Again let it dry and then spray the residue off with very warm water. Keep an eye on the plant for new mealybugs and repeat.

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Should you discard the soil after removing plant infested with mealybugs?

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You could try placing the dirt under black garbage bags in a sunny location for about 2 weeks.

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Tips

When purchasing new plants, you may want to consider quarantining your plant for several days while you look for any mealybug manifestations. Even though the bugs cannot be seen when first purchased, an egg sack may be hidden somewhere in the packing or filler material.

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Mealybugs are most often introduced by an infected plant unwittingly being purchased and brought into the house. Look for eggs, crawlers, and the presence of the winged adults on each plant carefully before purchasing.

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Warnings

When using a pesticide on your infected plant, do not apply a systemic pesticide to the soil.

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Things You'll Need

Cloth or paper towels
Plastic bag (optional)
Cotton balls
Rubbing alcohol
Detergent
Water
Oil or soap spray
Mealybug-specific pesticide

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How to Control Mealybugs on Indoor Plants

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