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Mealybug

Easy DIY
Mealybug

Identification

Small, soft insects covered in a white, cottony wax coating, clustering in leaf joints and undersides where they feed on plant sap.

Can I DIY this?

Easy DIY

You can handle this one yourself.

With the right product and a little patience, most homeowners take care of this pest on their own. Follow the treatment guide, read the product label, and you're set.

Download PDF guide
  1. Check leaf joints and the undersides of leaves for the telltale white, cottony clusters.
  2. For small infestations, dab individual mealybugs with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab for direct, targeted control.
  3. Apply insecticidal soap or horticultural oil for larger infestations, making sure to get into leaf joints where they cluster.
  4. For persistent problems, a systemic insecticide applied to the soil offers longer-lasting control than repeated contact treatments.
  5. Reapply every 7-14 days as needed, checking leaf joints closely since mealybugs hide well.

Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, closed-toe shoes with socks, chemical-resistant gloves, and goggles. Add a respirator if the label calls for it or ventilation is poor.