I need help!

[MickeysMommy]

Hi I have a question and need some help. My one plant (croton) has little whiteish bugs in clustered and they look like cotton. They are not killing my plants ~ as they are still growing well. What do I do for this? Do I just throw them out? Please help any info would be appreciated.

 

[Tulirose]

uh-oh! You are gonna wanna get rid of them. Have no reference books handy but I'm pretty sure you are going to need to spray them away. You may try just washing them away with water and there is a soapy spray you can use but you will probably need to get some sort of insecticidal soap. Not sure exactly.

Croton - My DH got a croton from the lady at church, twice now. The first one, he was so proud of - it was HIS plant - but it started to just die after a short time. I think we didn't have it in a place with enough light. DH was so upset that the leaves were falling off that he would tape them back on! I'm not kidding! This second one is faring better I think we have had it for about two and a half years now.

 

[Snowwark]

Tulirose is right, MickeysMom, you do want to get rid of them! From your description, I'm guessing that they might be mealy bugs.

Do they look anything like this?

If so, they're mealy bugs. From the information I was able to find, mealy bugs (MB) feed by puncturing the surface of the leaf, distorting the new tissue and leaves. They have a white cottony mass around their bodies.

If the infestation is still limited, you could try using rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab and dab each insect with it. Since alcohol can dry out a plant, avoid using it on the growing points. Follow by rinsing the leaves in clear, lukewarm water. You may have to repeat this treatment. For a more serious infestation you may need to buy a systemic insecticide which makes the plant toxic to sap-sucking pests. I'd try the rubbing alcohol a few times first.

Insecticidal soaps and regualr washing can help limit insect build-ups.

I hope this info helps!

Tulirose, your DH taped the leaves back on???

 

[MickeysMommy]

Thanks so much you guys. They are mealy bugs. I threw out my croton today because it just had too many bugs on it. It was too bad because it was really growing too....oh, well. They are also on two china doll plants but not as bad. I have been spraying them with soapy water and the one doesn't seem to have that many left but I am still working on the other. Thanks for all the info.

 

[Tulirose]

Originally posted by MickeysMommy
Thanks so much you guys. They are mealy bugs. I threw out my croton today because it just had too many bugs on it. It was too bad because it was really growing too....oh, well.......

So sorry the croton had to go!

Yes, Snowwark, my DH tried to save his plant by actually TAPING the leaves back to the stems! He's a nut and I love him!