I've discovered a serious mealybug problem on a tree in my yard that's causing everything to feel sticky. While I've dealt with a few mealybugs on small plants before, the idea of climbing a ladder to individually clean thousands of leaves is overwhelming. I'm really anxious and don't know if my tree can be saved or if I should just give up. What solutions can I try to get rid of these mealybugs without turning into a full-time pest controller?
2 Answers
Neem oil works great for mealybugs! Just grab a hose end sprayer and douse your laurel hedges. It won’t kill them on the spot, but it definitely does the trick after a few days. Just be patient and keep applying as needed!
You might want to consider a systemic pesticide. These types are absorbed by the tree and will kill the mealybugs when they feed on it. I can't recommend a specific brand, but definitely look into it before you stress about treating every leaf one by one. This could save you a lot of frustration!
Excellent advice, thank you! I'll do a bit of research on this or pop by a nursery to ask for recommendations.
Thank you for this! How bad was your infestation? Can I cover it in loads of neem oil without it hurting the tree?