You can use the one you get at your chemist that contains 70% concentration. Alcohol works two ways to kill bedbugs. Would love your thoughts, please comment. on testing, this is simply not true. The best mix is to use 50% of this rubbing alcohol with 50% of clean water and put it in a spray bottle. You can also make a mealybug killer spray by diluting 1 cup of alcohol with 1 quart (1 l) of water in a spray bottle and apply to the affected plant. I found some mealy bugs on my tillandisa harris plant. It’s difficult to say exactly what causes them to show up, but overwatering is a common cause, as well as over fertilizing. In general, rubbing alcohol can kill a wide variety of bugs not just plant pests. In many cases, mealybugs will enable fungus to grow. I actually keep a little travel sized spray bottle next to my plants so I can kill the nasty things as soon as they show up. If you’ve found other safe ways to conquer mealybugs, or other pests, feel free to send me a message let me know! On small infestations on houseplants, a 70% or less solution of isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol in water may be dabbed directly on mealybugs with a cotton swab to kill them or remove them. If you use the spray bottle, it won’t get too much on the leaves so it evaporates before any damage may occur. Step 4: Dispose of the cotton swab or paper napkin. I’ve never had much success with biological controls, as in a closed system the predators don’t eat themselves into extinction, and unless all the mealy bugs are killed the population will bounce back. Repeat the steps if necessary depending on how big your plan is. Sell this site[email protected]. If you’ve had a large infestation, it may be a good idea to pour alcohol over the soil the next time you water. Ryan RileyTop 200 most visited Seed Bank in the WorldAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It didn’t kill the bug. Experiment to find the best method for your cactus. However, in order for it to be effective, it must come in direct contact with the mealybugs. For the purposes of this article though, the solution is effective against aphids, mealybugs, scale, red spider mites, fungus gnats, white flies and more. To be honest, I detest mealybugs and I actually pull them off with a skewer and roll it on a hard surface until the red goo pops out. First, it acts as a solvent, which means it eats away the bug’s outer shell. Be sure to check those hard to see places near the stem. It’s impressive how quickly they move, and frustrating too. Contact with alcohol … Copyright 2013-2020 Succulents and Sunshine LLC. They didn’t show any signs of burn or damage from the alcohol. To do this, it is important to check your plants periodically, paying special attention to the back of the leaves, as this is where this pest is mostly found.. One of the ways to eliminate mealybugs from our plants is to wet a cotton ball in alcohol and clean the affected areas of the plant with it. Alternatively, dab the mealybug with vodka using a paint brush to strip it of its protective waxy layer and dry it out – a useful trick if you spot the problem early. Wasps will also kill mealy bugs and you can attract these to your garden (though it maybe a bit of a double-edged sword) by planting dill, coreopsis, fennel and bright flowers close to plants that my be targeted by mealy bugs. I’ve had people suggest adding a little bit of dish soap to water and spraying or dabbing that on. One of the most effective means of removing mealybugs from succulents is with the use of isopropyl alcohol. This method is effective, but extremely time-consuming. For any stray mealy bugs you come across, squish 'em or dab with a paintbrush dipped in alcohol (vodka strength and above works well). Some of them are much more likely to grow well for you than others. This is a highly effective method to kill the adult stage of aphids, scale, mites, whiteflies or mealybugs on succulents. 5. When you first notice the mealybugs, move your infected plants away from everything else. Dip a cotton swab in alcohol and dab up any creepy crawlies that you see. How to kill Mealy Bugs with Rubbing alcohol! First and foremost, be watchful while planting. Mealybugs are nasty little bugs that like to eat new growth on succulents. You can also use systemic pesticides for house plants. Hey, it works and I get satisfaction knowing the thing is really dead. You’ll notice the web-like substance will almost disappear as soon as you spray them and a little brownish/black bug, the size of a crumb will be left. Generally, if you catch the mealybugs early just one round of alcohol spray will be enough to kill them. ethanol) as they can penetrate the tissue of the plant and damage it. It can kill all stages of mealybugs on contact. If you spray it, try not to soak the whole plant. 6. There are many effective nonchemical approaches to dealing with mealybugs. I capture 1 mealy bug and tested the IPA on it. Some of the links on this page may be affiliate links, meaning we receive a commission if you make a purchase through these links. I do use a larger one if the infestation gets out of hand or affects very many plants. Isopropyl Alcohol 70% The first method is very simple: get a bottle of rubbing alcohol and a cotton … Mealybugs spread quickly and you don’t want to risk other plants getting infected. The best solution, and cheapest, I’ve found though, is the rubbing alcohol. Often, this will stunt the growth of the plant and cause the new growth to look mis-shaped or smaller than usual. Mealybugs are like a plague. Alcohol is another chemical known to dry the outer shell of bugs. Learn a simple way to get rid of them that is safe for the succulents! Click here to learn about individual types of succulents. There’re a couple of options to use alcohol to kill mealybugs. 3 In 1 will both kill the mealybugs and the fungus in a combined spray. Note: some of the resources below may be affiliate links, meaning I get paid a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase. Take a few cotton swabs, dip it in alcohol and wipe the part of the plant that is infested. You want the water to be in between 110 – 120 degrees F. Basically you want it hot enough to kill the critters and their eggs but not so hot that it harms the roots. If the infestation on your succulent is minor, then a simple cotton swab dip in rubbing alcohol, and a wipe across the succulent will do the trick. Probably the most popular home remedy against mealybugs is to swab and daub plants with a cotton-tipped swab or ball of cotton dipped in isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol. Here’s what I’ve used to get rid of mealybugs: Mix rubbing alcohol with water. The easiest method to get rid of mealybugs in your orchids is to use rubbing alcohol also known as isopropyl alcohol. You can also read the details of this method in the sections that follow. Continue to spray them until they don’t come back. Don’t use other types of alcohols (e.g. Get help identify your succulents and see which ones will grow well for you! Therefore, it can also be used to kill mealybugs. ... First is rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) or neem oil & soap mixture. Aim it at the mealybugs. The hardest part is simply trying to find them hiding in the plant. Lady bugs also keep mealybugs away! The root mealybugs get killed almost instantly but you want to leave it in for good measure. While many plant pesticides will kill mealybugs, the best solution I’ve found to kill them is 70% isopropyl alcohol. - Duration: 4:31. Apart from being extremely unsightly, mealybugs are also very rigid and spread quickly on a plant. It is the only one I’m confident will eliminate the mealybug problem and won’t damage your succulents. Many succulent growers suffer from gnats, too. Share this post with your succulent loving friends! Fortunately, I’ve discovered a simple way to kill them that also keeps your succulents safe from burning or other problems normal pesticides may cause. They may also leave some dents in the leaves if they are left for too long. Dab the mealybugs with a cotton ball swab soaked in rubbing alcohol to dry the insects out. I read many articles saying that IPA(isopropyl alcohol) kills mealy bugs, and many says it kills them on contact. These sprays will suffocate or dry out the mealybugs and kill them. They tend to show up on indoor plants the most as the temperatures are more temperate, but they can show up on succulents outdoors too! Mealybugs are small,white,squishy soft insects that stick to plant stems and suck the life out of them. Use cotton swabs or cotton balls daubed into 70% isopropyl alcohol to wipe down the leaves of your orchid and kill off any mealybugs that may reside there. In fact, even a 100% alcohol solution probably won’t have an effect on most succulents. You can either dab it on the mealybugs with a cotton swab (1 part alcohol to 1 part water) or spray it on (1 part alcohol to 6 parts water). Many people recommend using q-tips to dab on the alcohol, but I’ve found that a spray bottle is much more effective and easier to use. This will be your last chance to save your infested succulents from mealybugs. The alcohol zaps and kills the pests. Generally, if you catch the mealybugs early just one round of alcohol spray will be enough to kill them. If you’ve had a large infestation, it may be a good idea to pour alcohol over the soil the next time you water. They spread quickly from plant to plant and it can be difficult to get rid of them. With the right amount of the right ingredients, an alcohol-and-dish-soap spray makes an effective pesticide for plant-infesting mealybugs. Potting Up Cacti | June 2019 - Duration: 7:09. When you are doing this, make sure you spray it lightly. They’re often found in hard-to-reach places, so make sure you check all parts of the plant for wandering mealybugs and egg sacs. Option 1; In the case of small infestation. This makes them hard to see and hard to kill. The mealybug is easy to eliminate if it is detected early. Do not use other alcohols, such as ethanol or methanol, that can penetrate the plant tissues and cause considerable damage! Isopropyl alcohol kills many houseplant pests, including mealybugs on contact. Add 4 oz per gallon of water which is enough to treat 250-500 sq/ft. Not true. My Succulent Garden 725 views. Continue to spray them until they don’t come back. Besides applying the alcohol on your plants’ stems and leaves, you can also consider spraying on the plants instead. You can also use rubbing alcohol as a spray to spray down your orchid. Mix 1 part rubbing alcohol to 7 parts water and spray it on plants affected by aphids, mealybugs, thrips, whiteflies, etc. Spray them really well with the alcohol. Test the solution out on a small part of the plant 1 to 2 days beforehand to make sure it does not cause leaf burn (phytotoxicity). If you’re growing succulents indoors (and possibly if you’re growing succulents outdoors), you are likely to encounter mealybugs at some point. Most people recommend you use the alcohol at 50%-70% strength. Wash the plant with a gentle detergent and water to help control mealybugs. Alcohol sprays sometimes are recommended as insecticides, especially for the elimination of mealybugs, which can prove resistant to other treatments. 10,267 other succulent lovers also enjoyed this article in the last 30 days. My friend Jacki at Drought Smart Plants has put together an ebook about plant pests and how to treat them. Rub Isopropyl Alcohol. To kill the mealybugs with the alcohol, simply spray the alcohol directly on the mealybugs, wherever they are on the succulent. If not, lucky you! These little guys usually hang out in a white web-like substance in the nooks and crannies of your succulent. We have over 60 varieties featured with more added each week! Heavy spraying can attract unwanted effects. If you’re looking for more information about bugs that may be infecting your succulents, I’d highly recommend checking it out! Spraying alcohol will help kill off mealybug eggs. Bugs die immediately as soon as they come in contact with alcohol. Thus, as you treat a houseplant, inspect underneath all of the leaves, around the leaf joints, in folds and at the base of the plant for mealybugs. The rubbing alcohol will instantly kill the mealybugs. The video below shows the technique I use to get rid of mealybugs from succulents using isopropyl alcohol. The fuzzy white substances are mealy bugs, one of the most common pest problems for succulents and a stubborn one that requires a long and thorough fight to get rid of them. That is more than enough to kill the pests, but won’t harm your plant. #1 Talstar One Termiticide Insecticide (Chemical – Editors’ Choice), #2 Use Neem Oil (Natural – Editors’ Choice), #3 Reduce the number of bugs considerably with water spray, How to Prevent Mealybugs from infesting your garden, #8 Wash all Plant materials and garden tools after infestation, #11 Don’t worry if you see some Mealybugs around, The 10 Best Organic Insect Spray (Reviews 2020), How to Get Rid of Russet Mites: 10 way to kill russet mites on Cannabis (Updated for 2020), Homemade Ladybug Killer 2020 : Best Organic Insect Controls for Outdoor, How to Get Rid of Leafhoppers: 10 way to kill leafhoppers on your garden (Updated for 2020), Top 200 most visited Seed Bank in the World. The alcohol will melt the protective wax that covers certain insects and dries the soft body parts of others, leading to their death. The mealybugs can also leave in the soil so it is best to remove a few inches of the top soil and then replace it with fresh potting soil. Mealy bugs are one of the most common pests that infect succulents. Thanks to the tough skin succulents develop to prevent water loss, the alcohol is not damaging to your succulents, but take care with other plants. If you didn’t quite get them all though, they may come back in a day or two. If they aren’t treated quickly, mealybugs will spread all over a succulent and to nearby succulents as well. The rubbing alcohol will kill the bugs on contact. Their favorite place to hide is right where the leaves meet up with the stem. 4:31. An alcohol spray is also good to keep the mealybug away. Ask your question below: Did you know each species of succulent has slightly different care needs? You than others directly on the mealybugs, move your infected plants away from everything else are very. 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