Mealybugs on Indoor Palm: Alcohol Spray Protocol

Joyce's new palm has pinhead-sized sticky white spots at leaf bases—mealybugs. Natria spray seems ineffective.

Effective Treatment

Mix 50/50 rubbing alcohol + water in spray bottle. Add 1 tbsp dish detergent per quart. Spray daily for 2 weeks, then twice weekly for a month. Persistence kills hatching eggs.

Why Alcohol Works

Dissolves the waxy coating, kills on contact. Soap helps spread and stick. Commercial sprays often fail to penetrate the cottony shield.

Consistency is the key to eradication.