Mealybugs: Cottony Sap-Suckers That Excrete Honeydew

Mealybugs: Tiny Cotton-Looking Insects That Ruin Plants

Mealybugs look like tiny cotton pieces. Young ones crawl—best treatment time. Females lay 500+ eggs in 1–2 weeks. Suck sap from new growth → spots, yellow leaves, drop, weak stems. Excrete honeydew → sooty mold (black powder) ruining appearance, blocking photosynthesis.

Control

Immature: yellow sticky cards. Mature: Green Solution spray (water, alcohol, soap, mineral oil)—well-watered plant, not in sun. Repeat 10 days × 1 month. Fuzzy leaves: Q-tip Green Solution on bugs only. Don’t spray whole leaf.