How to get rid of garden plagues

How to Get Rid of Mealybugs from Outdoor Plants

Mary Smith
By Mary Smith. Updated: January 16, 2017
How to Get Rid of Mealybugs from Outdoor Plants

Mealybugs are one of the most common pests that are harmful and can affect your plants, as well as other well-known aphids. A lack of humidity is one of the main reasons why this parasite appears, which absorbs nutrients from plants. Rest assured that in this OneHowTo article we'll show you how to get rid of mealybugs from outdoors plants once and for all.

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Steps to follow:

1

Mealy bugs are easy to remove if they are detected early. It is therefore important you periodically check your plants, paying special attention to the rear of leaves because that's where this pest likes to settle.

How to Get Rid of Mealybugs from Outdoor Plants - Step 1
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2

Dip a cotton ball in alcohol and clean the affected areas of the plant. This is just one way of getting rid of mealy bugs from your plants. It is important you don't leave any mealy bugs alive on the plant because it could infect the plant again.

3

If the infected plant is too large, or if you have several infected plants, the best way to get rid of mealybugs is by making a solution of methylated spirit, washing up liquid and hot water. Spray the plants with this solution once a week for a month to get rid of the pest.

4

Another homemade solution involves placing half a dozen cigarettes in a container of water for half an hour and then watering the plants with this water.

5

In many cases, houseplants are attacked because of environmental dryness produced by central heating. Place bowls of water near radiators to create moisture and prevent mealy bugs from appearing.

6

Always remember to separate affected plants from healthy plants to prevent the pest from spreading. If mealybugs persist after trying these homemade solutions, you should get a phytosanitary solution that is used specifically for the removal of mealybugs.

How to Get Rid of Mealybugs from Outdoor Plants - Step 6
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7

To prevent mealybugs from appearing on your plants again, you should was the leafs from your plants regularly, especially if you live in a warm climate, as mealybugs are more likely to live in warmer climates. You should also control the amount of watering and fertilizer you give your plants, as mealybugs will feed from the excess food and drink that the plant rejects.

If you want to read similar articles to How to Get Rid of Mealybugs from Outdoor Plants, we recommend you visit our Gardening & plants category.

Tips

  • There are plenty of commercial products available at garden centers and specialized stores that can help you get rid of mealybugs too. Consult a professional if you have any further doubts.
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How to Get Rid of Mealybugs from Outdoor Plants