Problem: Is your houseplant shedding sticky foliage and looking drawn and droopy? Are there little fuzzy white invaders beneath leaves and along the stems? Though appearing innocent and fluffy, menacing mealybugs can drink camellias, orchids, begonias and most other house plants dry.

Detection: Although only 1/1 to /1 inch long, mealybugs are big-time house plant pests. In warm climates, they’re outside too. Wingless females lay about 500 eggs that hatch into "crawlers". These travel to new plants, then settle in to grow waxy coverings and suck plant sap. Look often and carefully as rapid reproduction and snug hiding places assure the mealybugs success.

 

Solution: Inspect newly acquired plants closely. Wash away any mealybugs with soapy water (2 teaspoons dish soap per gallon of water) or with a cotton swab dipped into alcohol. Major infestations may require horticultural oil, or .