You can recognize the infestation by these symptoms
Mealybugs hide their 0.5 cm small, oval body under a waxy protective layer. This shell keeps moisture and predators out. It is these tiny balls of cotton wool on the leaves and shoots that primarily catch the eye. Due to its explosive multiplication, the affected orchid is covered with white webs within a short time. In addition, the following symptoms signal an infestation with mealybugs:
- The lack of sap weakens the orchid in its entire constitution
- The leaves deform, wither and fall off
- Shoots and buds are stunted
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Since mealybugs are masters of camouflage, their presence is only noticed when large colonies have already formed. Therefore, please take a regular look at the underside of the leaves and leaf axils, because this is where the dilemma usually begins.
Home remedies fight mealybugs in the early stages
As long as lice are just beginning to establish themselves on a plant, use home remedies to kill the parasite. The following methods have proven themselves in practice:
- Shower the orchid upside down with as powerful a jet of water as possible
- Then soak a cloth in alcohol to wipe off the leaves and shoots
- Dip cotton swabs in alcohol to dab individual mealybugs in the leaf axils
For further treatment, isolate the orchid from other plants to prevent the pests from spreading further. In the quarantine room, spray the afflicted orchid every 2 days with a mixture of 1 liter of water, 1-2 tablespoons of soft soap (59.99 € at Amazon *) and 1 splash of alcohol. Ready-made soap solutions are now also available from specialist retailers.
These insects like to eat mealybugs
If the pressure of the infestation has already developed, you can no longer achieve any sweeping success with home remedies. Instead of resorting to chemical insecticides now, get effective protection from the animal kingdom. The following predators are available from specialist retailers and will enthusiastically hunt down mealybugs on your orchids:
- The larvae of the Australian ladybird (Cryptolaemus montrouzieri)
- The parasitic wasp (Leptomastix dactylopii)
The parasitic wasp is only active from a room temperature of 24 degrees Celsius. In contrast, the predatory ladybird already feels comfortable at normal room temperatures and kills countless mealybugs during its 50-day life. Once the pest colonies have been eliminated, the ladybugs migrate to search for new grazing grounds.
Tips
Mealybugs have a boom in winter. The dry heating air in living rooms gives the pests a sustainable boost. Often brought in through the purchase of new houseplants, the lice are now multiplying explosively. By increasing the humidity to more than 60 percent, you buy the mealy bugs.
