A white, sticky coating on plant leaves indicates… the appearance of mealybug. This pest can cause considerable damage, so once you notice its presence, it is worth getting rid of the mealybug as soon as possible.
These small pests feed on potted plants most often in winter. They feed on plant sap, which causes the attacked specimens to die. Females and larvae are covered with a waxy secretion. Most often, they are up to several millimeters long. They like dry and warm environments best. They multiply very quickly and are resistant to the agents used to combat them. While mealybugs are feeding, slight dew also appears on the plants, which further promotes the growth of fungi.
We most often bring these pests into our homes with new plants. Therefore, when purchasing flowers, it is important to check their condition – open the leaves and check whether they are not attacked by pests. Sometimes they can also inhabit plants exposed to the balcony in spring and summer.
Check also:
These pests are particularly fond of several types of plants. We will most often find them on:
On these plants they appear on the leaves, and in late stages they may also be visible on the stems. Pests form small colonies on the plant, which are most often located at the base of the leaves and at the root collar. Mealybugs can also feed on roots, which is how they most often attack succulents.
Read also:
There are two ways to do this. The home method is to remove pests manually. To do this, wash the plant (all places where pests nest) using a cotton pad. or in the case of small leaves, a cotton bud. These products are soaked in alcohol with the addition of water and gray soap (you can also use dishwashing liquid). After washing one part of the plant, replace the cotton swab with a new one so as not to transfer mealybugs.
The home method is time-consuming for large plants and those with many leaves. Sometimes it may be ineffective and the mealybugs may return. Then it is worth using natural or chemical agents to combat this type of pests. For this purpose, the following will be useful, among others: natural preparations based on chamomile oil. If we are dealing with a more severe invasion, we can try measures such as systemic insecticides.
See also:
Zamioculcas leaves turn yellow and stems fall off? Act quickly if you want to save him
Do not mist these potted plants. You will only harm them
Amaryllis doesn’t want to bloom? This little detail may be to blame
