Habitat:

Mealy bugs can be observed particularly on growing tops or on leaves that join stems or along leaf veins.

Food:

They feed on a wide range of plants including gardenia, chrysanthemum, cactus, poinsettia, orchid, African violet, palm, jade plant, geranium, primula, bird of paradise, heliotrope, gladiolus, Boston ivy, Virginia creeper vine, coleus, begonia, fern, grape, apple, peach, pear, plum, maples and yew, just to name a few. They feed on all parts of a plant, particularly new growth.

Method of Travel:

Crawling

Prevention:

• Predator insects provide a means of controlling mealy bugs.
• Remove the old soil as much as possible, and replace with a soilless mixture.

Steps to control:

• Mealy bugs can be picked off plants and squished by hand.
• Place the plant outside in summer to expose the plant to natural predators.
• Good, long lasting, low-toxic methods of insect control can be done with Knock Down Indoor and Plant Flying & Crawling Insect Killer or other Knock Down products listed below.