Bugs on Caladium plant - Ask Extension
What to use to get rid of bugs on this plant? There is some spidery webbing and damage on leaves and stems.
Knowledgebase
Bugs on Caladium plant #855216
Asked November 13, 2023, 4:54 PM EST
What to use to get rid of bugs on this plant? There is some spidery webbing and damage on leaves and stems.
Oakland County Michigan
Expert Response
Hi, Laura,
My best guess is that the insect on your plant is a mealybug. It is difficult to see details from the photo, but mealybugs are common on houseplants. It does not appear to be a heavy infestation.
My suggestion is to apply an insecticidal soap that can be purchased at a garden store or plant department in larger stores. Insecticidal soaps are organic and generally safe for plants. Follow the directions carefully and do a test spot and wait 24 hours before treating your whole plant.
You can also treat the insects with 70% alcohol on a cotton swab. In this case, be sure to touch only the insect as the alcohol can damage the plant. You may need to repeat the treatment several times at 10 intervals.
The following sites have information about mealybugs and scale (a related insect) that infest house plants as well as garden plants.
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/mealybugs-indoor-plants
https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/lawn-garden/controlling-scale-insects-and-mealybugs/
I hope this information is helpful to you.
My best guess is that the insect on your plant is a mealybug. It is difficult to see details from the photo, but mealybugs are common on houseplants. It does not appear to be a heavy infestation.
My suggestion is to apply an insecticidal soap that can be purchased at a garden store or plant department in larger stores. Insecticidal soaps are organic and generally safe for plants. Follow the directions carefully and do a test spot and wait 24 hours before treating your whole plant.
You can also treat the insects with 70% alcohol on a cotton swab. In this case, be sure to touch only the insect as the alcohol can damage the plant. You may need to repeat the treatment several times at 10 intervals.
The following sites have information about mealybugs and scale (a related insect) that infest house plants as well as garden plants.
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/mealybugs-indoor-plants
https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/lawn-garden/controlling-scale-insects-and-mealybugs/
I hope this information is helpful to you.
