Hair, could it be mealy bug? Are the drops sticky?
If your plant has mealy, please tend to it ASAP...they're fast working, and will devour your plant..
Also, keep citrus away from other plants..at least until you can ID this problem..Toni

I just happened upon this thread and did a search for mealy bugs- I think I have this problem :(

I brought this plant (and another that looked to have whitefly) out and hosed them down. I also scraped off as much of the 'mealybug' bugs and cottony stuff as I could find. I'm sure some snuck by and I want to prevent future infestations.

How does one treat this problem?

Sounds to me like citrus whitefly. Look for small white flies that are about the size of a nat. They will be on the back sides of the leaves where they lay there eggs. Whitefly are similar to mealybugs in that they both extract sap and excrete waste in the form of honey dew. The honeydew may then host the growth and development of black sooty mold. Ants and bees are also attracted to the honey dew.

If you shake a branch, and white, clustering bugs fly around, then it's whitefly, whereas mealy will just sit there.

Chops, one way to rid mealy is to dip a Q-tip or cotton ball in rubbing alcohol..then swipe infected areas.

As for whitefly, I find the best method, if hosing isn't working or available, is to use sticky traps..these traps can be found at www.gardensalive.com Or you can make your own using yellow cardboard, and a glue called Tanglefoot.
2 winters ago I went to war with whitefly, and remember I've over 400 plants, so it was a job and a half..I bought the stickytraps, (which are reusable) and placed them in plants that are more susceptable to this bug..2-3 wks later all signs of whitefly were gone. That was the first and hopefully last time I had war with these pests. BTW, I know how my plants got whitefly. I have a Hydrangea bush out front. While walking to my garden I brushed against this bush..lo and behold, little white bugs were flying everywhere..My front porch is about 15' away from this bush..Somehow, the whitefly discovered my houseplants and decided they looked yummy.

Mealy are harder to rid than other pests..at least that's my opinion..Isolate the plant..Mealy will attack plants of all types, including hardy cactus.

It's important to inspect a new plant when bringing it home..Some ppl isolate new plants. It's a great idea if you have space.

I have talked to ppl who sprayed rubbing alcohol on leaves, but later found this method dried out leaves, so I don't think it's a good idea..it's best to use Q-tips/cottong balls.
If a plant is really infested there are systemics..(I don't use harsh chemicals on my plants) One systemic, manufactured by Shultz is made from Pyrethrums, spelling is off, which is a plant and safer than other insecticides. Toni

BTW, when hosing a plant for bugs, direct hose opposite from other plants..otherwise you'll spray bugs on a nearby plant..(S)

There are leaves on the plant that look like they've had a bite taken out of them.

I think it's mealy, I'm gonna break out the alcohol and swabs this evening.

Thanks Toni, I will have to try those sticky traps. I got most of the whitefly off outside, but when I brought the plant back in I saw one or two flies that may have stayed behind in the room. As for mealy bugs, are they slow-to no moving? I squished one that sort of looked like a small cocoon. It didn't move at all and it gushed this greenish-black ooze.

I want to avoid chemicals if possible. I will try the alcohol thing too.

Hair, if you're sure it's mealy, please isolate the plant, and while you're at it, check any neighboring plants that were sitting near the buggy citrus. How many white, cottony spots can you see?
Also, and this applies to Chops, too, check under leaves, between stems..These suckers like to hide, sometimes in places that aren't out in the opened.
Oh Chops, you squashed one? Yuck..greenish-black ooze? How disgusting..LOL.
Yes, once mealy find the perfect spot, they pretty much loiter in the area..They do move, but very very slow..I think if you sat there and watched one for an hour, you wouldn't see it move..LOL.
If your trees are managable size, you can take to the sink, and use dish soap, rub into leaves/stems, then rinse. After the plant dries, use rubbing alcohol.
I wish you both luck. Hopefully you guys caught in time before they totally devoured your trees..

Chops, like you I do NOT use chemicals..Toni

Will whiteflies and mealybugs overwinter outside in Z6?

Chops, the whitefly might die, but I'm not sure about mealy..They're hardy little pests.
Do you suspect your tree/s have white fly/mealy? Toni

hi toni,

i'm about 90% sure I have whitefly. The only reason why i'm not 100% is because I've never seen them before or ever had any significant houseplants before. From the info I've gathered on the net, i say they are whitefly. They are only on my tomatoe right now and they've laid eggs. I am ordering the traps and some Eco-oil they sell at gardensalive.
as for the mealys, i've done a thorough check on my guava leaves and don't see any more. i handpicked and squashed them a week ago. i will keep vigilant watch however as i'm sure they are waiting and hiding.

Chops, are you growing your tomato plants in pots? Annuals are more susceptable to plant bugs than tender perrenials/tropicals/succulents.

When you move a branch do these white bugs fly around? If so, they are whitefly. The traps will really help. Believe me. I had a war w/those buggers and won..it took about a wk, but they vanished. Thank the stars.

When will your order come in? GA is pretty quick when it comes to ordering. Good luck, and keep us informed..Toni

Chopstocky.White fly is something you do not want.

drichard- Believe me, I do not want ANY bugs inside my house! ;)

toni- i have one plum tomatoe in a pot that i started from seed too late to be put outside so I figured i'd keep it in a pot till spring and maybe get a headstart on the season. well it's been pretty tough so far. it's been getting leggy and wilting and now these whiteflies (yes they do fly around when shaken). it may not make it till spring but i'll try. it is definitley more suceptible to the flies than any of the other plants I've got, citrus included. i just ordered today from gardensalive so we'll see how long it will be till the traps come.

Chopstocky where did you find your Italian Everbearing Fig tree I seen this in your journal Just interested in getting my hands on one Dale

Belleclare Nursery on LI, NY. they've got a great selection of figs but their prices are higher. I've had some difficulty with this tree but it's only my first season with it. I have to see how it goes next year.