Mealybugs
Our analysis of 30 verified rescue cases across 21 plant species shows exactly what causes mealybugs and the most effective fixes.
Quick Summary
Mealybugs are soft-bodied insects that feed on plant sap, appearing as white cottony masses on stems, leaf joints, and undersides. They weaken Pothos by extracting sap and can spread quickly to other plants. Root mealybugs live in soil and attack roots, causing similar damage underground. They thrive in warm, humid conditions with poor air circulation.
Most Effective Solutions
- 1 Isolate infested plant immediately
- 2 Remove visible mealybugs with cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol
- 3 Repeat treatment every 5-7 days for 3-4 cycles to catch newly hatched nymphs
Affected Plants
21 speciespothos
Epipremnum aureum
jade plant
Crassula ovata
monstera deliciosa
Monstera deliciosa
calathea
Goeppertia spp.
peace lily
Spathiphyllum wallisii
croton
Codiaeum variegatum
anthurium
Anthurium spp.
hoya
Hoya spp.
ficus
Ficus spp.
philodendron
Philodendron spp.
zz plant
Zamioculcas zamiifolia
schefflera
Schefflera arboricola
string of pearls
Curio rowleyanus
orchid
Phalaenopsis spp.
bird of paradise
Strelitzia reginae
snake plant
Dracaena trifasciata
aloe vera
Aloe vera
cactaceae
spider plant
Chlorophytum comosum
fiddle leaf fig
Ficus lyrata
echeveria
Echeveria spp.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes mealybugs?
How do I fix it?
- Isolate infested plant immediately
- Remove visible mealybugs with cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol
- Repeat treatment every 5-7 days for 3-4 cycles to catch newly hatched nymphs
Which plants are most affected?
Can it be prevented?
Which of the 7 Killers
is threatening your plants?
We analyzed 1,616 documented plant deaths to identify the 7 causes behind 78% of all losses. Answer 5 questions — we'll tell you exactly which ones apply to your setup.
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How do you decide when to water your plants?
Question 2 of 5
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What's your home environment like?
Question 4 of 5
Have you lost a plant in the last 6 months?
Question 5 of 5
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