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Plant Doctor Archive
Bugs on indoor plants
I
HAVE discovered these little white bugs on my indoor plants. They
look like little pieces of cotton wool. Can you help me find out
the best thing to use to get rid of them?
YOUR
indoor plants have mealy bug. Spray with a systemic insecticide
such as Orthene or Confidor mixed with Conqueror Oil. Because of
their ‘cotton wool’ covering, it is hard for contact insecticides
to reach the insect, so a systemic insecticide is used which is
absorbed into the plant sap. Conqueror Oil helps the spray adhere
to the insect and smothers it. Repeat sprays at 7–10 day intervals
to catch any eggs that may have hatched. Orthene has a pungent
smell, so spray plants outside.
Alternatively, if you only have a few indoor plants, use a convenient aerosol spray such as Baythroid Aerosol.
Advice by Dr Dan Blanchon, from Unitec’s Diploma in Sustainable Horticulture and Bachelor of Resource Management
Plant Doctor Archive
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