The problem
Mealybugs are the clingy exes of the pest world, wedging themselves into leaf joints, hiding in roots and coating everything in white fluff. Left untreated, they suck sap, stunt growth and spread quickly from plant to plant. Once you notice them, they’re usually everywhere.
The hack
Neem oil is a natural pesticide that coats soft-bodied pests and interferes with their ability to feed and reproduce. Used properly, it can eliminate mealybugs without the need for harsher chemicals.
The method
Wipe off as many mealies as you can with a cloth. Then dilute 1-2 tablespoons of neem oil in 1 litre of warm water, and add a drop of mild washing-up liquid. Spray thoroughly, including on the undersides of leaves. Avoid spraying in strong sun, and test on a small area first. Repeat every 7–10 days for a few rounds, and isolate the plant while you’re treating it.
The test
I used the solution on a mealybug-infested hoya; the neem oil definitely helped, but only when combined with physical removal. The first spray did very little, but after several weeks I started to win the battle.
The verdict
Neem oil can help control a small mealybug outbreak, but only with elbow grease and repeat treatments. For a heavy infestation, I’d reach for a chemical pesticide, and back it up with nematodes (tiny parasitic worms).
