Areca Palm Mealybugs: Thorough Alcohol-Soap Spray Protocol

Your Areca palm has a serious mealybug infestation. The white flaky spots are egg sacs and juveniles.

Treatment

1. Mix 5 parts water : 1 part isopropyl alcohol : 1 squirt liquid dish soap.
2. Spray entire plant until dripping wet—especially down into leaf bases where mealybugs hide.
3. Repeat in 7 days.

Areca Palm Cultural Needs

• Bright, mostly indirect light all day (north/east window).
• Water when top 1–2 inches dry.
• High humidity and air circulation help but aren’t essential.

Areca palms are challenging indoors—keep expectations realistic.

For palm and pest guides, email wcreed@HorticulturalHelp.com.