Garden and vegetable plants can suffer from insect infestations. Mites, small flies, aphids, ladybugs, ants, caterpillars, and mealybugs can attack our plants. To prevent these formidable pests from damaging your plants, you can opt for natural remedies with repellent properties to treat them. Here are some home remedies to eradicate ants and mealybugs from plants on your patio, garden, or vegetable patch.
Unwanted insects that infiltrate plants can become a real nuisance. Attacked plants attempt to defend themselves against these invasive intruders but can sometimes weaken and lose their foliage. To protect their vegetation from harmful insects, some opt for a natural insecticide. Discover in this article how to protect the plants on your patio, garden, or vegetable patch from ants and mealybugs.
How do you know if scale insects are present on plants?
parasitic cochineal
Whether on your patio or in your garden, the presence of mealybugs generally doesn’t go unnoticed. Mealybugs can colonize most plants and weaken them. There are mealybugs, which have white secretions; shield mealybugs, which are protected by wax; and shell mealybugs, which have a hard, brown shell.
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cochineal invasion
When mealybugs invade your garden, you will notice the presence of sooty mold (a black powder), honeydew and ants.
What attracts ants and mealybugs to plants?
scales ants insects
Mealybugs bite and suck insects that feed on plant sap. Only female mealybugs attack plants, as male mealybugs don’t need to feed on our plants. Mealybugs can cause significant damage by attacking cacti, camellias, hibiscus, hydrangeas, and citrus trees. They are more likely to attack plants in humid climates and poorly ventilated areas. For outdoor plants, a dense planting is enough to find mealybugs.
Infested plants weaken and suffer from discoloration or leaf drop. In addition, honeydew, the name given to the sugary excrement of mealybugs, can attract certain species of ants. As a result, the plants become infested with both mealybugs and ants.
Natural remedies to eliminate ants and mealybugs from plants
Controlling mealybugs and ants can be difficult for gardeners. To get rid of them, you must act as soon as you notice an infestation.
A remedy for ants on plants
To keep ants away from your home and plants, you can opt for natural ingredients that release an effective odor to repel these insects. Chili pepper, vinegar, and mint are all ingredients that can help you put an end to the ant invasion on your terrace. Additionally, you can mix honey and baking soda and pour the product into several jars to create ant traps. This cocktail will allow you to neutralize these small insects and significantly reduce the infestation.
honey bicarbonate repellent
To eliminate ants from plants, you can prepare a solution of 10 ml of white vinegar, one liter of water, and a few drops of dish soap. Spray this liquid on the insects. It is recommended to respect these doses to avoid burning the plants.
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A remedy for mealybugs on plants
remedy to eliminate cochineal
If you notice mealybugs on your plants, start by removing their shells with a cloth soaked in soapy water, then opt for a limescale treatment. You can use Marseille soap or black soap. In one liter of water, dilute a teaspoon of liquid black soap, vegetable oil, and 90% alcohol. Spray this mixture on the parts of the plant prone to mealybugs once a day for 3 or 4 days.
Now you know how to control mealybugs and ants. Discover a way to protect your plants from frost and cold.