It is wise to perform the patch test on a leaf before spraying on the entire plant. Try first on one leaf and if its wilts or look damaged in 1 to 2 hours, then you need to dilute your solution.
THE COCKTAIL METHOD:
- 500 ml distilled water mix with
- half to 1 teaspoon of Neem Oil mix with
- about 10 drops of liquid soap and
- one cup or 250 ml of rubbing alcohol (70% Isopropyl Alcohol). If you have only 91% Isopropyl Alcohol – use 191 ml and add 59ml of water to make 250 ml
This is the very powerful mixture and it may destroy all the mealy bugs in one shot! Completely drench the plant with it – also spray on the top soil surrounding the plant and the pot.
Mealy Bugs on hoya leaf
Imidacloprid granules
…I now have discovered the secret to keeping Hoyas pest free – BATS. This is an acronym for Bayer Advanced Tree and Shrub – the active ingredient (imidacloprid) …
Doug
You can use Bayer Advanced Tree and Shrub or any other product containing active ingredient (imidacloprid) for example BONIDE. (BONIDE cost $16.40 and have 1.400 positive reviews on AMAZON.com. Mix granules with soil and drench it with water in proportion 3 TBSP for 6 inch pot.
0.22% Imidacloprid Insecticide (1 lb.).
- Long lasting insect control for up to 8 weeks in your flower beds, roses, and shrubs. Apply it every 8 weeks throughout the growing season for optimal protection.
- Kills tough houseplant pests like fungus, gnats, mealybug, whitefly, termite, aphids, and more.
- After incorporating the granules into the soil and watering them in, the pesticide is absorbed by the roots where it moves through the plants to assist in protection against the listed bugs.
Repeated spraying with horticultural Neem Oil is very effective as a control.
GOOD METHOD
NEEM OIL:
Mix 1 teaspoon of Neem oil per litre of water +about 10 drops of liquid dish wash soap actually works for mealybugs.
With this method you may have to repeat this every week – 10 days until eradication. Please perform a patch test on a leaf before spraying on the entire plant.
WITH SMALL INFESTATION OR SMALL PLANT
ALCOHOL:
Do not use ethanol and methanol because they can damage your plant. Best is the rubbing alcohol which is 70% Isopropyl Alcohol. This works 100% on mealybugs. Take a cotton swab and soak it with rubbing alcohol and wipe the mealy bugs.
If infestation is high, then use above methods. IF you want to use just alcohol with the sprayer dilute your alcohol with water in 1:1 ratio and spray on the plants. Alcohol dissolves the waxy coating of mealybugs almost instantly and they die in no time. Repeat this if required after one week.
ALSO
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE: This is great especially for root or ground mealy bugs. Use 2 cups of 3% hydrogen peroxide or 1 cup of 6% peroxide per litre of water and water your plant with this solution and repeat after a week if necessary.
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