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Controlling mealybugs on indoor plants #889737

Asked November 12, 2024, 3:38 PM EST

Hi I've moved some plants inside for the winter. I now discovered that they have mealybugs. I would really not like to have to toss them. I know of the alcohol and qtip method of killing them. Are there any other methods? I feel like I may need a multipronged approach. Thanks for your help!

Ramsey County Minnesota

Expert Response

Thanks for your question.

Without a picture of these insects, I cannot confirm your identification of their being mealybugs. Given this uncertainty, I am not completely confident in my answer to you.

I see that you asked a question on 2/28/22 of our forum regarding mealy bugs. The pictures you included in your question at that time were certainly mealybugs. So maybe this is what you currently have. In a response (3/4/22) at the time of your question, another Master Gardener suggested various remedial procedures. If these were successful in 2022, they should also be successful now in 2024.

Here is some information on mealybugs including remedial things that you might do:

https://extension.umn.edu/product-and-houseplant-pests/insects-indoor-plants - mealybugs-1581111

https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-news/mealybugs

https://ncipmhort.cfans.umn.edu/introduction-mealybugs

https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/mealybugs_a_common_pest_of_indoor_plants

https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/mealybugs/

Good luck. Please get back to us with any additional, related questions.

An Ask Extension Expert Replied November 13, 2024, 12:17 PM EST

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