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.

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