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Soil Mealybugs in Houseplants: Identification and Elimination

Diagnosis

Tiny white insects jumping on water surface when watering a 20-year-old umbrella tree are soil mealybugs (blind mealybugs). They feed on roots, eventually weakening the plant and spreading to nearby pots.

Treatment

Apply a soil drench of acephate or malathion per label directions. These systemics move into roots and kill feeding mealybugs. Isolate the plant during treatment. Monitor other plants for spread.

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