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How To Prevent Mealybugs From EVER Coming Back Step 5: If there are no new mealybugs found after several weeks of inspecting the plant, I’ll add it back to my collection, but try to put it in a new spot just in case. I also inspect any plants that were sitting nearby the infested plant every day to make sure there aren’t any bugs on those plants (being sure to wash my hands after touching each plant!). I will spray the plant with neem oil again after a week if I’m still killing mealybugs on it daily. Step 4: I check the infested plant daily for any signs of mealybugs, and kill each one that I see using a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Step 3: Once everything has been cleaned and disinfected, I spray the plant with neem oil and move it to a location far away from any other plants. If there are other plants nearby, I inspect them thoroughly for any signs of bugs (after washing my hands). Step 2: Next I will wash the area where the plant was sitting with soapy water, and then use a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol to disinfect the area. Related Post: How To Use Neem Oil As Organic Pest ControlĬheck for mealybugs hiding under the pot tray It can also take several days of using neem oil to treat mealybugs before it starts to kill them, so be patient, and continue to reapply until the bugs are gone.Īs an alternative to neem oil for mealybugs, a pre-mixed horticultural oil or hot pepper wax spray, and they also work very well when used directly on mealybugs. If you get the concentrate, you’ll need to mix in a little bit of soap to help the oil mix with water (I always use this liquid soap since it’s so mild).Įven though neem oil has a residual effect to help keep houseplant pests from coming back, it can still take several applications to get rid of mealybugs.
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Just be sure to follow the instructions on the label. You can buy concentrated neem oil for pretty cheap, and a big bottle will last a long time. Not only will it kill the bugs, it’s also great for residual pest prevention as well. Neem oil is a natural pest control product that is a very effective for getting rid of mealybugs on houseplants.
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Perlite is a very lightweight material that is made from expanded volcanic glass. Let’s take a look at perlite vs pumice and you can make your own decision as far as which one is best for you. I always mix in additional materials like perlite, pumice and sometimes even other materials. I almost never use any pre-packaged potting mix as-is because most are not well suited to growing plants indoors.
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Both perlite and pumice will serve the same purpose, but they have different pros and cons, which I describe below in detail.įirst, let’s look at the similarities.