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Aug 17, 2024 3:50 AM CST
Thread OP
Peterborough, UK
How the Whistling do I get shot of mealybug on my ponytail palms??

I seem to have tried every recommended home remedy including neem oil and rubbing alcohol before finally giving up and heading to the dark syto use a spray. This reduced the infestation but just when I think it's gone back they flipping well come.


I'd be grateful for any advice
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Aug 17, 2024 5:09 AM CST
Name: Sue Taylor
Northumberland, UK
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I've never been able to eradicate them. TBH I would get rid of the plant.
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Aug 17, 2024 6:33 AM CST
Name: Sally
central Maryland (Zone 7b)
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Azamax is a systemic that someone here swore by for his huge, huge collection.

Mealybugs seem impossible to eliminate from my coffee plant. They don't bother everything, but some plants, they seem impossible.
I am trying to repeat Bayer systemic granules along with topical spray, and with the plant outside in summer it is growing well. Crossing Fingers! Crossing Fingers! so, persistence and best general health of the plant... Crossing Fingers!
Plant it and they will come.
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Aug 17, 2024 11:47 AM CST
California Central Valley (Zone 8b)
Region: California
Something with Imidacloprid in it. I use Bonide (.22% - read the package and get something with the highest % of Imidacloprid you can find) in combination with Insecticidal Soap.
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Aug 18, 2024 7:34 AM CST
Mid Hudson Valley of N.Y. (Zone 6a)
Nefersmum said: How the Whistling do I get shot of mealybug on my ponytail palms??

I seem to have tried every recommended home remedy including neem oil and rubbing alcohol before finally giving up and heading to the dark syto use a spray. This reduced the infestation but just when I think it's gone back they flipping well come.


I'd be grateful for any advice


This guy knows his stuff: https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
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Aug 18, 2024 7:57 AM CST
Name: Sally
central Maryland (Zone 7b)
See you in the funny papers!
Overwinters Tender Plants Indoors Garden Procrastinator Charter ATP Member Hummingbirder Frogs and Toads Houseplants
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Good video
Plant it and they will come.
Avatar for Nefersmum
Aug 18, 2024 8:08 AM CST
Thread OP
Peterborough, UK
kniphofia said: I've never been able to eradicate them. TBH I would get rid of the plant.


I really couldn't! I grew these 2 from seed 30+ years ago.
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Aug 18, 2024 8:16 AM CST
Name: Sally
central Maryland (Zone 7b)
See you in the funny papers!
Overwinters Tender Plants Indoors Garden Procrastinator Charter ATP Member Hummingbirder Frogs and Toads Houseplants
Keeper of Poultry Vegetable Grower Region: Maryland Composter Native Plants and Wildflowers Organic Gardener
I bought a clearance clusterr of ponytail palm last year. Mealies. I am not sure if the mealies killed all 3, or if I rotted the crowns trying to spray the mealies away, or something else. I would heed the video about pressyre spraying, make sure the crown is tipped to drain and dry, and follow with systemic.

I read once, the advice to put plants into a separate space with a No Pest Strip, before bringing them in the house for winter. Do they still make those? It is some nasty chemical that is not approved for living spaces. But the idea there was it fumigates the entire plant.
Plant it and they will come.
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Aug 18, 2024 2:41 PM CST
Name: Baja
Baja California (Zone 11b)
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Repeated spraying with soapy water (I use Safer brand horticultural soap) works. You will rarely succeed with just one round though, unless you catch them very early. You need to get in there repeatedly (every week or so is probably good) even after you can't see any activity (because the juveniles are tiny).

The video was wrong about a couple of things. There is absolutely no need for a sprayer, just use a decent spray bottle with an adjustable nozzle set more toward blast than mist. Aim for the crevices from all angles and leave no part untouched.

If you use 70% alcohol instead of soapy water, try not to use so much that you saturate the soil, some plant roots really do not do well with the desiccation that can result. Horticultural soap is really very neutral to roots and it's very unlikely to cause problems down there even in vast excess.

Using a systemic insecticide in combination (as mentioned above) is probably a good idea.

Also consider leaving your plant outside in a pounding rainstorm if the timing is right (ie. it would be time to water anyway, temperatures outside are mild, it is the right season), then take it in right away after it's enjoyed nature's shower so it doesn't stay waterlogged afterwards.

It is usually a mistake to assume that you will cure any plant of mealy bugs in one go, unless you catch them very early. My experience has been that repeated treatments with soap or 70% alcohol are usually required, and a systemic insecticide works best in combination with a spray down, rather than on its own. Vigilance is the most effective way to stay pest free in the long run.
Last edited by Baja_Costero Aug 20, 2024 7:12 PM Icon for preview
Avatar for Nefersmum
Aug 20, 2024 3:33 PM CST
Thread OP
Peterborough, UK
Thanks for the advice everyone. It's a bit disheartening to realise how difficult it is going to be getting rid of these pests
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Aug 20, 2024 7:02 PM CST
California Central Valley (Zone 8b)
Region: California
Sometimes it comes down to how much you value the plant.
Avatar for Nefersmum
Aug 23, 2024 2:03 PM CST
Thread OP
Peterborough, UK
Thank you everyone for your advice. I'll keep battling on and hopefully something will be effective
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