I have been thinking about writing on “Pest Control Series” to benefit my readers who want to manage pests naturally. So here I start with mealy bugs, because this one has annoyed quite a lot of gardeners.
I get repeated queries on this particular critter. I can understand how distressing it could be. They are the most common and the most pesky ones. But not to worry, it can be easily controlled.
My most simple advise to all my gardening workshop clients is to become an ATTENTIVE GARDENER if you want to manage bugs efficiently. So, here are some very simple and effective ways to manage the mealy bug issue:
- Simple water spray:
📌You can manage mealybug infestations with a simple blast of water.
Just spray a plain jet of water to disrupt the bugs as soon as you notice them. Catching them early is the best bet. - Neem oil emulsion:
📌Spray plants with neem oil emulsion (check recipe in my earlier post)
to discourage the bugs from coming back.
🐝Neem oil spray will not affect bees, making it ideal for the pollinator-friendly landscape. - Manual removal:
📌A simple manual way is to directly wipe them off the plants with a cotton swab or brushing them off using an old toothbrush.The last one is my go to resort when I catch them early. I hope you will find these solutions useful.
Happy Gardening!
PS: I have been getting a lot of queries for my gardening workshop. My gardening workshop is now open for enrollment. Check under courses and workshops for more details.
