Knowledgebase

White bugs? #823900

Asked March 29, 2023, 7:15 PM EDT

Hi, I have an established potted jasmine plant that I bring indoors every winter. It accumulates these white bugs every winter. When I bring the plant outside, the bugs don't go away even with washing/rain. My other indoor plants have the bugs too, but they are mostly on the top of the jasmine leaves. What are they and how do I get rid of them? I've noticed them for years now and had tried neem oil spray last summer. It didn't seem to work.

Bucks County Pennsylvania

Expert Response

Thank you for your question. Do the bugs look like those in this photo?
These are mealy bugs. The site I accessed has several solutions, and I've reprinted them. I hope you can find one that works to get rid of the insects on your jasmine. Good luck!
Jeanne

Mealybugs can be dislodged with a steady stream of water. Repeat the treatment as necessary. This is best for light infestations, and some plants do not tolerate this kind of vigorous treatment.

Method 2: Use Isopropyl Alcohol

Soak a cotton ball with regular rubbing alcohol and wipe it on the mealybugs, which kills mealybugs instantly and removes them.4 Use a solution consisting of no more than 70% isopropyl alcohol, and test it on one leaf before you apply it to the whole plant to make sure the alcohol doesn't burn it.

Method 3: Spray With Insecticidal Soap

Insecticidal soaps are available in nurseries, hardware stores, and home improvement stores.

Method 4: Use Neem Oil

Use neem oil to get rid of mealybugs naturally. Neem oil's natural substance is derived from the neem tree. When used as directed, it affects an insect's feeding abilities, growth, and development, plus acts as a repellent.5 According to the Environmental Protection Agency, neem oil is safe to use on vegetables and other edible plants, as well as ornamentals.6

Method 5: Introduce Predatory Insects

Lacebugs, parasitoid wasps (Leptomastix dactylopii), and a beetle sometimes known as the "mealybug destroyer" (Cryptolaemus montrouzieri), all naturally kill mealybugs.7 These natural predators are more commonly used for outdoor infestations or in greenhouse situations and are available from commercial online retailers.




-----Original Message-----
From: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
To: Jeanne Quintavalla <<personal data hidden>>
Sent: Wed, Mar 29, 2023 7:15 pm
Subject: Question assigned to you (#0093827)

Hi Jeanne,
Question #0093827 has been assigned to you by SYSTEM (Auto Assignment)

White bugs?

Hi, I have an established potted jasmine plant that I bring indoors every winter. It accumulates these white bugs every winter. When I bring the plant outside, the bugs don't go away even with washing/rain. My other indoor plants have the bugs too, but they are mostly on the top of the jasmine leaves. What are they and how do I get rid of them? I've noticed them for years now and had tried neem oil spray last summer. It didn't seem to work.
From: Zauraiz Syeda
Submitted: 03/29/2023 7:15 PM

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An Ask Extension Expert Replied March 29, 2023, 9:53 PM EDT
Hi Jeanne,

Hmm they don't quite look like the mealybug picture, but they might just be too small for me to see the bug's shape. I'll grab a magnifier and try to get a closer look this weekend. Thank you for the possible solutions! I'll try a couple out and see if they work.

Best,
Zauraiz

On Wed, Mar 29, 2023 at 9:53 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied March 31, 2023, 10:30 AM EDT
Thanks for responding. Please let us know if any of these solutions work. 
Jeanne


-----Original Message-----
From: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
To: Jeanne Quintavalla <<personal data hidden>>
Sent: Fri, Mar 31, 2023 10:30 am
Subject: New response added to your question (#0093827)

An Ask Extension Expert Replied March 31, 2023, 6:57 PM EDT

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