How far is far enough for mealies

12 years ago

I have identified my second case of mealies on my succulents today. In the 37 years of gardening around this house, this is probably only the 5th case of mealies I have ever had, with case number 4 just being a week or so ago with another succulent inside the house. So, I'm a little clueless about dealing with them.

I was cutting off some echeverias pups from the parent plant to root carefully following everyone's advice. When I cut the first one off I noticed a white spot on it with legs, and when I pulled off the old leaves, I could see that there was a sizeable infestation that I had not noticed before. I was going to scream, but didn't want to scare the neighbors. Got out the bug killer, and did my best to kill every living thing on the plant.

Then I had to decide where to "isolate" it. Like where do you put an infested plant in your garden that it's not near another plant? How far away does it need to be so that the mealy bug with wings just doesn't do a fly over to the next one? I'm hysterical to think that it was next to some of my other succulents and did an inspection of them, but fortunately did not find mealies anywhere else...yet.

If I give the plant a systemic soil drench, am I correct in assuming that their could be mealies hiding in crevices or under dead leaves in the pot that could survive it? or will just getting wet with a systemic kill it? Maybe I should just give all the plants a systemic as a preventative measure. I'm getting carried away here. These big nurseries must have an ongoing bug killing program to keep pests out of their nurseries and I sure understand why.

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Comments (7)

lindasewandsew
12 years ago
The only good mealies are DEAD mealies, hehe. The systemics work fine but don't kill the ones hiding in dead leaves, most likely because those leaves aren't sucking up water. When mealies appear I get rid of the dead leaves and plunk the whole pot in a bucket of water with just a little dish soap added to drown them. I leave it in the bucket for a couple of hours but have been known to forget about them for a few days at a time. They also get sprayed with a spray bottle full of water whenever a few appear, again with a few drops of dish soap. I've never lost any plants doing this. Others may have simpler ideas.
Mealies are spread by ants, spiders and people (and nurseries and big box stores!!). Check every plant before you buy it and after you get it home. Linda
dellis530
12 years ago
I spray the hell out of the plant and soil with rubbing alcohol. Then again in a couple days. Seems to work for me.

Denise
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cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5
12 years ago
Penny,

For this wonderful advise you're getting, please be aware there are lots of species of mealy bug.

The same mealy that is on your Echinofossulocactus is not

the same mealy on your Aloe (which is Planococcus citrii, IIRC)

And not the same mealy which is on Crassulaic plants (which is the problem I'm having).

I can't tell you about using a systemic inside - I can't bring myself to do it although it would take care of the problem...

And the aforementioned mealy bugs aren't the same mealy in the soil (that one looks like spots of ash on the root-soil ball).

Denise,

I have to do that to the entire collection, so I've ordered a 5l bottle from the compounding pharmacist's. It's just doing it - I've only spot-treated before and therein lies the problem of not achieving complete and total eradication.
Colleen E
12 years ago
I've thought I was sooo lucky here...this morning, first instance of mealies, in the house, on one of my Haws (at least not a favorite). Damn things! If your plants are outside, Penny, at least count yourself fortunate there; that's gotta be easier than battling the bugs while in the house, where the pets are.
dellis530
12 years ago
Wow Jeff, you get them that bad? Maybe your plants are inside in close quarters longer in zone 4? I'll see them mostly in the winter and only a couple times. Do mealies hate the cold or thrive in heat etc? I usually see them on "soft" plants like crassulas. Hmmm, must think about this...
pennyhal
Original Author
12 years ago
Ok, so I just set the plant in the dog run where it is all cement and where the dogs won't pee on it. It'll be happy there. Didn't know mealies could catch a ride on ants, spiders, etc.

lindasewandsew, I've used dish soap/water on whiteflies, but never thought about using it on mealies. But I'd be afraid to dunk the whole thing! But then, it'd sure get rid of the ones hiding under dead leaves that I might not see. I like the idea of drowning the little critters.

dellis530, I used rubbing alcohol on the tiny echeveria on my window sill several days ago and it dripped down into the soil. That must be why I haven't seen any more mealies. I thought it would kill the plant, but it must have killed anything in the soil instead. Yea!

cactusmcharris, now I find out that there are different kinds of mealies!!! And some attack roots? Now that's a great reason to do a soil drench! Or dunk the whole thing in a bucket. What is a "51 bottle?" I gather that it is like a gallon of rubbbing alcohol?

Since it's been years since I've had a mealy, and now I've had two plants attacked, there probably is a neighbor who has an infestation of them and they are making their way to my yard. It happens with wasps too.
norma_2006
12 years ago
What I have read is good advise, Soap and water great, Alcohol, sprayed on and washed off great. Taking off all of the dead leaves better, then spray. This group covered it all, I have notimg to add. Good going, Norma

How far is far enough for mealies

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lindasewandsew

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How far is far enough for mealies

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lindasewandsew

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