Ask Burton

This week, a question about houseplants, and one of their most stubborn pests. How far do you need to go to get control?

 

Q: My houseplants are dealing with an infestation of mealybugs. I say my houseplants, because what I’m doing to remove them isn’t working. Insecticidal soap, Neem oil, a cotton swab with rubbing alcohol… I kill some of them, but a short while later, the problem is as bad as ever. They’re just the worst on my dracaena plant, but several of my other plants are dealing with the same problem. How do I fix this?

 

A: Mealybugs can be a real problem on our indoor plants. A few useful tips:

 

  • Don’t overwater. Overwatered houseplants are more prone to this problem. Most houseplants need no more than one watering a week indoors unless they’re in an especially sunny window.
  • Put the plants outside on the patio for a while. More light (not direct sun, but better light) will strengthen your plants, and expose the mealybugs to predatory insects.
  • Use a more potent, systemic insecticide. Insecticidal soaps and Neem oil are fine for many uses, but an insecticide that’s absorbed into the plant’s tissue, like our Hi-Yield Systemic Insect granules or one of the liquid systemics will be more effective. Mealybugs love to hang out where leaves meet stems and on the underside of leaves, making it difficult to contact the insects directly with a contact product. Take plants outside to apply this spray and leave the plant outside for a few days.
  • Quarantine and if necessary, cull the worst problem plants. In this case, likely, your dracaena. Many dracaena plants have deep pockets where the leaves meet stems of plants, and mealybugs will stack up in there. Definitely move badly infested plants away from your healthy ones. Systemic insecticides will provide excellent control, but if you spray several times and still can’t get your plant clean, consider tossing the plant before winter. Keeping a badly infested plant indoors all winter long next to your other plants will almost guarantee that every plant susceptible to mealy bugs will be infested by the time spring rolls around.