The mealybug, also known as the mealybug, is a tiny insect from the mealybug family, native to tropical and subtropical areas. Mealybug adults are small, usually not exceeding 5 mm in length. They have white or gray bodies covered with a white, spider-like covering that resembles wool. The larvae are similar to adult insects, but smaller and somewhat transparent, often hiding in white, fluffy covers.
How to recognize mealybugs? They are not easy to spot
These insects like to feed on the juices of potted plants. Here are some ways to recognize the presence of mealybugs on your house flowers:
- Mealybugs produce a distinctive white, downy material that covers the leaves, stems or roots of plants. It may feel like cotton wool or spiderweb.
- Mealybugs are usually difficult to spot due to their small size, but sometimes you can spot the insect itself or its movements around the plant.
- Plants attacked by mealybugs may begin to turn yellow and the leaves will fall off. This is due to the weakening of the plant due to the extraction of sap by insects.
- Mealybugs can stunt the growth and flowering of plants because they draw nutrients from the plant and make it weak and sickly.
Where do mealybugs come from? They are easy to move
If we haven’t noticed these pests before and they suddenly appear, they may come from several sources. They often hide in the ground or on plant leaves and are brought to our home together with a new flower. Mealybugs can also enter the house through open windows or doors, especially if there are other plants infected with these insects in our area. We can also transfer them from one plant to another, e.g. using the same garden tools to care for different varieties.
How to combat mealybugs on potted flowers? Our grandmothers knew an effective method
If you suspect the presence of mealybugs on your potted plants, it is worth taking preventive measures. First, cut off the part with traces of insect feeding. If this did not help, our grandmothers successfully managed to combat pests by preparing a solution of alcohol and dishwashing liquid. It was then that they gently washed all the nooks and crannies of the plant. They did not leave out the leaves and stems, trying to thoroughly clean each part. To clean the small leaves, you can use cotton buds soaked in this special liquid to ensure thorough and gentle cleaning.
Once we get rid of all the insects, we wash the plant under running water to remove any remaining solution and potentially dead or weakened mealybugs. This proven method will save many plants.
Source: Gazeta
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