Fight against mealybugs: the effectiveness of white vinegar

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Mealybugs

This tiny, but greatly formidable enemy is part of the Homoptera family in the order Hemiptera. Here are some facts that are important to know:

  • These small, flat-bodied insects are called “biting-sucking” insects.. You should know that females have a stylus under their abdomen with which they make small holes in the leaves or stems to collect the sap, which can cause significant damage to the plants, or even cause them to die without intervention. fast.
  • Among mealybugs, only the males have wings and can fly.. In fact, they only serve for reproduction, because they do not feed, which means that they do not attack your plants, and die immediately after reproduction.
  • Mealybugs can appear in your garden from June to September, but also on your houseplants all year round. What is even more serious is that depending on the family to which they belong, they attack different plants, which ultimately means that a very large number of trees, shrubs and plants can be victims.

The different families of mealybugs

In France, there are approximately 400 species of mealybugs which are differentiated by their color, the number of eggs they lay, their lifespan, the type of plants they like, etc., but they are all as dangerous as each other for the plants that they colonize. These species are grouped into 3 large families:

  1. Mealybug : it is the most easily recognizable with its white and cottony appearance. It is frequently found on fruit plants, especially citrus fruits, ornamental or vegetable plants.
  2. The shield scale : it is enclosed in a brown, smooth and removable shell, from which it takes its name, and prefers woody plants, such as ivy or oak.
  3. The shelled cochineal : it looks a lot like the shield scale, but its shell is very domed and is not removable. It is sometimes called “turtle scale”. This type of scale insects attack perennial or woody plants.

What attracts mealybugs

Mealybugs thrive under certain specific conditions. To try to prevent an infestation by mealybugs, we suggest you discover the factors that favor their appearance and which should encourage you to be vigilant:

  • Mealybugs thrive in warm, humid environments. This is why scale insects are often found on plants installed in a greenhouse or in warm regions.
  • While mealybugs like many plants, some are more palatable to them. This is the case for citrus fruits, cacti, indoor plants such as orchids, among many others.
  • When a plant is stressed or weakened, it is more likely to attract mealybugs. You must therefore ensure that each of your plants is provided with the conditions it needs to be healthy.
  • Finally, mealybugs have predators in their natural habitatwhich are essentially, ladybugs, birds, bats, etc. In the absence of natural predators, the mealybug population can quickly increase.

Identify the presence of mealybugs

Several signs should alert you and lead you to consider that your plant may be the victim of a mealybug attack:

  • In the event of a mealybug attack, you can notice small white floury masses on the front or back of the leaves, along the veins, but also on the stems. In the case of other mealybugs, they are little waxy piles.
  • Whatever the family of mealybugs, what can alert you is the presence of a sticky substance on your plant, honeydew. It is excreted by females.
  • The appearance of sooty mold on leaves and stems. This micro-fungus can actually grow on honeydew, making the leaves black and sticky.
  • Your plant may have leaves that turn yellow or discolored spots.
  • Young shoots may be deformed.
  • The plant appears weakened.

Without prompt intervention on your part, your plant may end up dying.

Why use white vinegar to fight mealybugs?

The main reason for its effectiveness against mealybugs lies in its acidity which makes it a powerful insecticide. Let us add to this that it constitutes a economical, environmentally friendly solution, non-toxic for humans or plants if used correctly, i.e. diluting it sufficiently.

Attention : Even though it is a natural product, it should be used with caution.

How to use vinegar to fight mealybugs?

Using white vinegar alone

White vinegar is an easy-to-use solution. For example, you can do the following:

  1. Beforehand, prepare a mixture of water and white vinegar at a ratio of 1 part white vinegar to 3 parts water. You will thus have an effective mixture, without the acidity being too strong for your plant.
  2. Empty your mixture into a sprayer.
  3. Spray the entire plant generously, remembering to treat the underside of the leaves and the surface of the substrate.
  4. Then let the product act, taking care not to put the plant in the sun, as this would burn the leaves.
  5. After a few hours, you can rinse the plant with clean water. To protect the substrate, it may be wise to trap the pot in a closed bag. This rinsing eliminates the remains of vinegar and dead mealybugs.
  6. After a few days, you can repeat the treatment.

Use white vinegar combined with black soap

By using these two products, you combine their effects: on the one hand, the acidity of the vinegar kills insects and, on the other hand, the viscosity of black soap asphyxiates them. Here’s how to benefit from these two destructive effects:

  1. Fill a spray bottle with water.
  2. Add a teaspoon of vinegar and the same quantity of black soap.
  3. Mix well.
  4. Spray, preferably in the morning and evening, as explained for vinegar alone.
  5. Repeat the operation until the insects are completely eliminated.

Precautions to follow

  • If your plant is fragile and you have doubts, you can prepare a little of either of these mixtures to test on a small area.
  • White vinegar should be used diluted and not pure.
  • During treatment, be careful to avoid direct sunlight on the plant.

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