Question
I saw this description online: Expert: Will Creed
Date: 5/23/2007
Subject: Insects on my palm plant

Question
I have two palms in my home, and both have been developing white, soft, powder-like substances on the lower parts of the stalks.  I was told it could be mealybugs, but when I looked up mealybugs online, the description didn't quite match to me.  The substance I have is easy to remove with just a paper towel, and the plants are definitely suffering since it has come.  A
And we have a similar plant problem except that our office palm plant has white fuzzy stuff looking like a coccoon or web or nest [ many of them]... just small enough to fit on the thin leaves of the palm.  What could it be and what can be done to rid the plant of these before they "hatch" or spread to us humans?


Answer
Diana,

It does sound like you have mealy bugs. For pictures go to this site:  http://images.google.com/images?um=1&tab=wi&hl=en&q=mealy%20bugs%20%20    

Let me know if those pictures look like the problem you are having. If not look up spider mites, from your description of webs that would be the only other thing that it could even come close to being but those are so tiny all you ever really see are really fine spider webs.

I really suspect the problem is mealy bugs and the cure is either spraying with rubbing alcohol or Neem Oil which you can get at Lowes and follow the directions on the bottle. Rubbing alcohol you put in a spray bottle and spray the mealy bugs daily for a week getting the crotches of all the leaves and the fronts and backs of all leaves and the surface of the soil to kill any babies that hatch before they fully develop.After the first week spray twice a week for 3 weeks. Persistence is the key to getting rid of these difficult insects. Good luck.

Darlene