Stubborn Mealybug Invasion on Calathea 💀
Does anyone have any advice for dealing with Mealybugs on a large Calathea? I’ve been spot treating with a q-tip soaked in rubbing alcohol and spritzing with a solution of water, rubbing alchohol and peppermint soap for two weeks now. It’s so easy for them to hide in the rolled up new leaves and stem crevices, I feel like I’m going nowhere. Any tips are appreciated! #CalatheaCrew #Calathea #PestControl
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The real key to mealybugs is persistence. Unfortunately, there are no one-and-don't solutions because mealybug eggs can take more than two weeks to hatch. So it's important to treat weekly for several consecutive weeks to ensure you have truly eradicated them. Rather than relying on the alcohol method, I recommend supplementing with it. Try spraying with an insecticide or insecticidal soap and then spot treating any mealybug crawlers you see in between sprays.
You can also try supplementing with a systemic insecticide, but I wouldn't rely on that because there's always the fear that the mealybugs could already have or build up resistance to that product.
You can also try supplementing with a systemic insecticide, but I wouldn't rely on that because there's always the fear that the mealybugs could already have or build up resistance to that product.
I would not recommend the systemic since calathea tend to be attract spider mites…and systemic is essentially a mite fertility drug.
Honestly I’d recommend you keep doing what you are doing, mealy bugs are not very destructive, and just take persistence to get rid of. Also try washing the plant with a bit of water pressure (not into the soil).
Honestly I’d recommend you keep doing what you are doing, mealy bugs are not very destructive, and just take persistence to get rid of. Also try washing the plant with a bit of water pressure (not into the soil).
I blast infested plants with a hose, then use beneficial bugs to tackle them. You can use lacewing larvae or Cryptolaemus montrouzieri (mealy bug destroyer) to combat them. I prefer beneficial bugs over using chemicals, since I have a dog and don't want any accidentally getting on her when she walks by my plants. Also beneficial bugs are almost a set and forget method when you see an infestation #BeneficialBugs
