How to Get Rid of Mealybugs (and Keep Them Gone)

Small white, cottony specks on stems and the undersides of leaves? Those are mealybugs, one of the most common indoor pests. They suck sap, weaken the plant and breed fast — but with persistence you can wipe them out. Here's the full plan.

How to identify them

• White cottony specks, especially in leaf joints, nodes and undersides.
• A sticky substance (honeydew) on leaves and nearby furniture.
• Sometimes black sooty mold growing on that honeydew.
• Slow growth and yellowing or deformed leaves.

Act fast: isolate the plant

First, separate the affected plant from the rest: mealybugs spread from one to another easily. Check the neighbors just in case.

Step-by-step treatment

1. Remove the visible ones with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol (70%). The alcohol dissolves their waxy coat and kills them on contact.
2. Wash the plant with water and a few drops of insecticidal soap, focusing on undersides and joints.
3. Spray with a mix of 1 quart water + 1 teaspoon insecticidal soap + (optional) a few drops of neem oil. Cover the whole plant.
4. Repeat every 5-7 days for 3-4 weeks. This is key: it wipes out the nymphs as they hatch.

Severe cases

If the infestation is massive, prune the worst-affected parts and consider a mealybug-specific insecticide. For very valuable plants, biological control (Cryptolaemus) works great in a greenhouse.

How to prevent a comeback

• Inspect new plants before mixing them with the others (2-week quarantine).
• Check undersides and joints every time you water.
• Don't over-fertilize: excess nitrogen produces soft new growth that attracts the pest.
• Keep leaves clean and the plant strong: a healthy plant resists better.

Persistence is 90% of success: don't quit the treatment at the first sign of improvement. Not sure if it's mealybugs or something else? Upload a photo to the AI diagnosis.