Mealy Bugs
There are two types of mealy bugs: foliar and root. Root mealybugs are difficult to see as they are found in the soil. They look like rice stuck on the plants roots. Foliar mealybugs are much more obvious and are easily seen. They are slow moving scale that suck the plants juices and especially favor new growth. They look like white fuzzy bits of cotton and are found on the leaves and axils (the place where the leaf grows out from the main stem). They like warm and dry air. Mealybugs lay their eggs in white fluffy patches. The eggs hatch in 10 days. They develop into nymphs which feed on the plant and become adults in 4-8 weeks and the cycle begins again.
The best treatment is prevention. Check your plants every time you water or dust them. Check the leaves, underside of leaves, axis, everything. This way if you do end up getting pests (chances are you will at some point because nature can’t be controlled) you will know as soon as possible and can intervene. Pests are far easier to eradicate when there’s only a small amount compared to a heavy infestation. You especially want to catch a mealybug problem early.
If you do have mealybugs, you can try the following:
Dip a cotton swab in alcohol and wipe the bugs off the leaves.
Spray the plant with Neem oil. This doesn’t kill them but it does prevent them from feeding.
Sprinkle diatomaceous earth on the soil and plant. This cuts the mealybugs and kills them but is safe for the plant.
Spray down the plant and crevices with a steady stream of water. This is great for light infestations.
Make a mixture of 1 tsp rubbing alcohol, 1 tsp dish soap and 1 cup of water. Place in a spray bottle and liberally spray down the plant and soil. Let it sit for 30 minutes then spray down with clean water.
Repeat whichever of these treatment plans you choose weekly until the infestation is gone.
Root Mealy Bug Treatment: To eradicate them you need to get fresh soil but be sure to keep the infested soil and fresh away as they spread through potting medium. If the fresh medium were to become contaminated you run the risk of spreading root mealybugs to all of your plants. Spray the roots down with the soil mix listed above and rinse with water. Repot with fresh soil.
There are many other pesticides and treatments if these don’t work but they can be harmful to the plants, animals and people so use them with caution and carefully follow the directions.