This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.
mealy bugs
bucklebugs
Posts: 7
I have a large double glazed conservatory with doors open continually for dogs, If my research is correct the small sticky white cotton wool looking lumps in the leafs axials of many plants . plumbago, vines, and assorted pot plants are mealy bugs?. I have read that biological deterrents that prey on these are ineffective unless a closed environment , as they fly away, Much as i would like to be 'green', is there a foolproof spray I could use to eradicate this ,
0
Posts
I seem to remember my old dad saying to dab them with a paintbrush d
ipped in methylated spirits Tedious job but works. Perhaps someone else will confirm this?.
I use a tissue soaked in meths,but a brush or cotton bud will do as well.
I remember that being recommended by someone a while back - I've never done it.
The RHS recommend some organic treatments based on fatty acids that will deal with mealy bugs here http://www.rhs.org.uk/media/pdfs/advice/pesticides - scroll down and you'll find it.
I've read that the usual cause of infestation is on a brought in plant, so once you've got rid of the bugs, it's recommended to quarantine new plants in another part of the house for a while before bringing them into the conservatory.
Good luck
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
thsnkd dovefrom above. list of suitable sprays noted, will also try meths on cotton bud for any reoccurance, have removed all I can find so far
I too have used the meths on cotton bud technique and it is indeed tedious, but worthwhile. I used to dab them and roll the cotton bud which seemed to help pull them off.