What causes white bugs on indoor plants?
Glasshouse mealybugs are common sap-feeding insects found on a wide range of houseplants and greenhouse plants. Mealybugs can weaken plants and excrete a sticky substance (honeydew) on foliage, which allows the growth of sooty moulds. Mealybugs are a close relative of scale insects, but they’re much more difficult to remove because they can migrate from one plant to another. They look like a white cottony fluff on the plant. This comes from a waxy substance they secrete on the outside of their bodies, which offers some protection against predators.A moderately strong spray of warm water will dislodge most of the mealybugs. Alternatively, you can try wiping the insects and egg masses off the plants with a cotton swab or cloth dipped in rubbing alcohol.Mealybug infestations can be caused by various factors, including bringing infested plants into your home or garden, overwatering, over-fertilisation, and a lack of natural good predators in the environment. Overwatering and over-fertilising do not directly cause mealybug infestations.Similar to their feeding habits, mealybugs will lay their eggs on either the leaves, stems, or twigs of a host plant for a brief 7-14 days until hatching. A mealybug egg sack looks very similar to spider webbing or aggressively spreading mold without any real definitive shape.Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) diluted with water is an effective solution to kill mealybugs instantly. You can spray the solution directly onto the mealybugs, which will dissolve their waxy coating and eliminate them on contact. Make sure to cover all affected areas of the plant.
Can vinegar get rid of whiteflies?
Another way to control whiteflies is with vinegar. Take a plant sprayer and pour a generous splash of vinegar into the bottle. Top up with water and you’re done! Spray all the leaves and stems and repeat this step after a few days. Apply Horticultural Oil to Deter Whiteflies Neem oil can suffocate larvae and nymphs and deters insects that seek to feed on plant leaves. Apply it when rain is not in the forecast for the best results. You will need to reapply it after it rains.White oil spray Traditionally used against: aphids, small caterpillars, leaf miners, mealy bugs, mites and scale. Pour 500ml vegetable oil and 100ml liquid soap into a large jar or bottle with a secure lid. Shake vigorously until blended. Label and store in a cool spot.This homemade insecticide can be used as a catch-all as it deters many different types of insect pests. Recipe: Mix together in water some chopped mint, ash, garlic, tobacco, and no more than 1 tablespoon of soap. Steep the concoction for 24 hours, strain, and apply the solution with a watering can or a homemade broom.For the best insecticides that instantly kill spider mites on contact: a DIY option is rubbing alcohol and three store-bought options (available in New Zealand), are Enspray 99, BioNeem and insecticidal soap. A quick word of caution when it comes to neem oil products however. Most are NOT tested or proven insecticides.
What is the best homemade whitefly spray?
One of the classic sprays in every gardeners toolkit, soapy spray is great for aphids, whitefly, thrip and caterpillars. Mix 1 tablespoon of biodegradable dishwashing liquid with 1 teaspoon of cooking oil in 1 litre of water. Use insecticidal soap: For heavier indoor or outdoor infestations, use an insecticidal soap (or make your own by mixing 1 tablespoon of Castile soap with 1 quart of water). The soap coats the eggs, larvae, and adults, suffocating them.