I'm really stressed about a major mealybug infestation on my plants. I was just getting control of fungus gnats, but now I've discovered white sticky webbing all over my plants in my windowsill greenhouse. I didn't see the signs before and lost a plant to repotting issues, which has made me feel like a terrible plant parent. I'm reading horror stories about how mealybugs are a nightmare to handle, and some people suggest just disposing of badly affected plants. I can't bear to throw away my treasured plants, especially a special jade cutting from a wedding favour. I've noticed some signs of damage, like misshapen leaves and browning on my ivy. I'm treating them with a dish soap solution while I wait for isopropyl alcohol to arrive since I couldn't find it in stores here in the UK. I'm also planning to repot and soak them in water, but I'm worried about whether my ivy will cope after being exposed like that. Has anyone had success drowning mealybugs on ivy? Are these pests really that hard to eliminate, or is there hope to save my plants? I'm particularly anxious about my gollum jade due to its hiding spots!
2 Answers
First off, don't lose hope! It can be tough, but you can beat these little pests. You're on the right track with the soap solution. Drenching your plants can help to some extent, but just be cautious with your ivy because it might not handle the water too well if it’s already stressed. Maybe try isolating the affected plants to prevent any spread? If you can, look into getting some beneficial insects that eat mealybugs—it's a natural way to control them without heavy pesticides. You might also want to consider using neem oil; just check if it's suitable for your plant types.
You're definitely not alone in this struggle! I've dealt with mealybugs last year, and I thought I was doomed too. A combo of alcohol sprays and manually wiping them off worked for me—just be persistent. It helps to check thoroughly under leaves and in crevices. I've also read that increasing humidity can help deter them. So don’t get too discouraged; even if things look dire now, with some consistent effort, you can win this battle!
Totally agree! It really takes time and effort, but with consistent treatment, I've managed to save plants that were nearly written off. Just don’t give up!
I've used neem oil before on my plants and had pretty good results, especially with sticky pests. Just make sure to test on a small part first!