Question
QUESTION: Hi,

I have a colleague who's aloe has sticky white goo spots all over it.  I am not seeing any bugs.  Do you think this is treatable with the vinegar/dish soap solution:?

ANSWER: Jill,

If the spots look like bits of cotton you should use the rubbing alcohol and dish soap solution. If they are not it could be a fungus and you should spray it with Lysol spray every 3 days for 3 weeks. Otherwise I need a picture to see what the problem is exactly. Good luck.

Darlene

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Aloe in Trouble   QUESTION: Hee is a picture taken from my cell phone.  Hope it is clear enough.  I agree with your description of it looking like cotton.

Answer
Jill,

It is definitely mealy bugs. Mix rubbing alcohol with water 50/50 and add 2 teaspoons of dish soap per quart of mix. Put it in a spray bottle and spray the plant twice a week for a month. The alcohol will kill them on contact and the soap will make it stick better. Be sure to sprayall the leaves and the surface of the soil. Repeat it twice a week for a month to kill any babies that hatch from eggs. Good luck.

Darlene