Mealybugs: How to Spot and Get Rid of Them
Priya Hollis · Oct 24, 2026 · 5 min read
Quick answer
Those white cottony tufts in leaf joints are not mould. Act quickly and you can save the plant.
Mealybugs are small, soft-bodied insects covered in a white, waxy fluff. They cluster in leaf joints, under leaves, and sometimes on roots, sucking sap and leaving sticky honeydew behind.
They spread easily between plants, so isolating an infested plant is the first step.
1 Signs to look for
Check the plant closely, including stems and the underside of leaves:
- ✓White, cotton-like clumps in crevices and leaf axils
- ✓Sticky residue on leaves or the surface below
- ✓Yellowing, distorted, or dropping leaves
- ✓Slow growth despite good care
2 First response
Move the plant away from others. Wipe visible bugs off with a cotton bud dipped in rubbing alcohol, which dissolves their waxy coating. For larger plants, rinse foliage in the shower, then spray with insecticidal soap, covering every surface.
3 Keep going
Eggs hatch over several weeks, so repeat treatment every 5–7 days for at least a month. Check the roots of badly affected plants: root mealybugs look like white powder on the root ball and may need a full repot with fresh compost and a cleaned pot.
4 Prevention
Inspect new plants carefully before buying and quarantine them for two weeks at home. Avoid overfeeding with nitrogen, which encourages soft, sappy growth that pests love.
This is general gardening information. Results depend on your climate, soil, and conditions. Follow label directions for any fertiliser or treatment, and check whether plants are toxic to pets or children before bringing them home.