containers or old plant stakes. The mealybug has the remarkable faculty 

 of entering into a somewhat dormant state and remaining on plant 

 stakes or containers for long periods without any food whatsoever. 



When feeding on many plants, they excrete a sticky substance called 

 honey dew. If this material is not washed off, it becomes a medium for 

 the growth of a black-sooty fungus that further detracts from the plant's 

 appearance. Honeydew also attracts small ants and, in turn, the ants 

 furnish the mealybug with transportation to other plants. This relation- 

 ship between ants and plant insects is very common, especially in the 

 garden. 



Fig. 5c — Regular washing is an excellent control 

 measure for most insects that infest house plants 



Any control measure that prevents the bugs from reaching the ma- 

 ture egg-laying stage is helpful. Regular washing with a jet of water is 

 useful for removing the older insects and the egg masses. Infested plants 

 should be isolated as soon as discovered. Containers that have had mealy- 

 bug-infested plants in them should be washed carefully and stakes that 

 have been used on such plants should be burned. 



Sprays or dips of contact insecticides are valuable. A dip made of 

 one tablespoon of nicotine sulphate to one gallon of warm soapsuds is 

 good. Volck is an excellent material for use as a dip or spray for kill- 

 ing mealybug. The most important part in controlling mealybug is per- 

 sistence. Any control measure must be repeated in two-week intervals 

 for several times, or until all signs of the insect are gone. 



l en 



