Question
Hello there,

I am so disappointed to see my once very healthy red anthirium plant thrive, now has what it seems sticky white, I think, from what I have read--white mealy bugs---My daughter says to throw it out, as it will most likely contaminate the other house plants---Is this true? and is there a way to treat the plant with a organic solution?

Thank you for your expertise!
Mary O'Neill

Answer
Hi Mary,

Mealybugs look like bits of white cotton and they secrete a sticky substance called honeydew. Although mealybugs can spread to other nearby plants, that will not happen as long as you treat your Anthurium promptly as I describe below. Just to be sure, check other nearby plants carefully to see if any are already infected.

Mix a spray solution of 5 parts water, 1 part rubbing alcohol and a squirt of liquid dish soap. The key to success is being really thorough in your spraying. Really drench all leaf and stem surfaces of the plant until they are dripping wet. This is a bit messy, but necessary to get all of the juvenile mealybugs that are nearly invisible. If a few survive, they will reproduce and come back again in a month or so.

Plant pests are often a sign that the plant is under stress from some other problem, such as inadequate light or improper watering. So be sure you are caring for your Anthurium properly so it will be healthy and resistant to pest and disease problems.

I have written an article on plant pests that I will email for free to you (or anyone else) who sends a request to me at [email protected].

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

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