Palm Mealybug Infestation: Thorough Alcohol/Oil Treatment Required

Severe mealybugs on indoor palm (cottony masses, crawlers hidden). Difficult but eradicable with persistence.

Treatment Protocol

1. Consider return if recent purchase.
2. Spray to drip point all surfaces with one:
• Brand X Foliage Cleaner (silicon; southwestplantscape.com).
• Rubbing alcohol: 1:5 water + soap.
• Horticultural oil (SunSpray Ultra-Fine).
• Neem oil.
• Hot Pepper Wax.
3. Repeat in 5–7 days for crawlers.
4. Weekly checks indefinitely.

Critical Rules

• No spray in sun or >75°F.
• Test patch first.
• Isolate plant.
• Check all nearby plants.

Complete coverage = success. Missed few = reinfestation.