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How to Kill White Cotton Mealy Bugs

White cotton mealy bugs are soft-bodied, wingless insects that suck the sap out of plants. They get their name from the white, cotton-like fluffy masses they produce on the stems of plants. White cotton mealy bugs can infest a variety of houseplants and can cause major damage, if left unchecked. If you discover white cotton mealy bugs on your plants, treat them immediately for the health of your plants.

Things You'll Need

2 tsp. dish soap
Rubbing alcohol
Spray bottle
Cotton swabs

Instructions

- 1
  Inspect your plants carefully and isolate any infested with cotton mealy bugs.This will help prevent your healthy plants from becoming infected. Prune infested branches and discard heavily infested plants.
- 2
  Control small infestations with rubbing alcohol. Spray a mixture of 10 percent rubbing alcohol and 90 percent water directly onto the cotton mealy bugs. Repeat this procedure once a week to control the pests.
- 3
  Use homemade insecticide soap for heavy infestations. Mix 2 tsp. liquid dish soap in a spray bottle filled with water and spray the soil around the roots, leaves and stems of your plants thoroughly.
- 4
  Remove mealy bugs by hand, or dip a cotton swab in alcohol and physically remove them. Check your plants daily for white cotton mealy bugs and remove any you find.
- 5
  Quarantine new plants brought into your home in an isolated spot for 7 to 10 days. Inspect the plant thoroughly for white cotton mealy bugs and other pests before adding it to your other healthy plants.

Insects & Science