Bird of Paradise Pests: Mealybugs and Scale/Honeydew

Your bird of paradise (Strelitzia) with white fuzzy spots, sticky leaves, and sticky floor has two pests:

Mealybugs

White cottony clusters on leaves/stems. Remove with alcohol-dipped cotton swabs.

Scale or Aphids (Honeydew Source)

Both suck sap and excrete sticky honeydew. Check for:

• Scale: brown bumps on stems/leaf undersides.
• Aphids: small green/black clusters on new growth.

Treatment

Spray entire plant with alcohol/soap/water mix (1–2 tsp each per spray bottle) or commercial houseplant spray. Treat all nearby plants. Repeat weekly 3–4 weeks.

Prevention

• Inspect new plants.
• Wipe leaves monthly.
• Provide good air circulation.

Early, thorough treatment saves the plant.