However, when indoors, you may want to keep an eye out for mealybugs, a common indoor pest. Dip cotton balls and swabs in alcohol and remove all visible mealybugs. Look for clusters of the little bugs on new growth as well as on the curled and twisted leaves. Mealybugs are common indoor pests. View full size in a new window Infestation on potted annuals This residue is either the egg sacs of the mealybugs or the pests themselves. the mealybug settles on leaves, bracts, and soft plant tissue where it feeds on sap, reducing plant growth and causing leaves to fall when high populations are present. He publishes online articles with major focus on pets, wildlife, gardening and fitness. Repeat as necessary. Apply Bacillus thuringiensis, better known as BT, to your bougainvillea for killing aphids, caterpillars and some beetle species. ¼ to ½ cup of rubbing alcohol. If you want to keep the plant, prune off the highly infested parts. Aphids are tiny insects that come in a variety of colors but they’re most commonly pale green. Here's how to stop a mealybug infestation: 1. Scale insects or mealybugs are plant parasites, commonly found in household gardens. Mealybugs. On Bougainvillea spp. To ensure that bougainvillea blooms abundantly, strategically put it at a location where it is exposed to the direct… Keep a sharp eye out for them and jump on the situation immediately. All Rights Reserved. How quickly does bougainvillea grow? Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spp.) Handsome, robust and sturdy, the healthy, mature bougainvillea is undemanding and relatively pest-free. Brands vary, so make sure you follow the label's instructions. A bougainvillea performs best when it is slightly stressed, so there’s a fine line between urging it to flower and inviting pests. University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program: Bougainvillea—Bougainvillea Spp. These include green lacewings and different species of ladybugs. Several species of aphid as well as the spider mite and a caterpillar tend to plague bougainvilleas. Because they feed at night, you may not be able to find them in the daytime. 3. The Bougainvillea Looper caterpillar will eat the plant's leaves away. is one tough plant, standing up to heat, drought and some neglect. They feed intensively on the sap of plants. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English with a concentration in creative writing. Spray a ready-to-use spinosad product on the bougainvillea to completely cover every leaf, top and bottom. As spider mites hate moisture, it is advisable to rinse the plants, and then increase the humidity by spraying. Symptoms: The smaller, unhatched scale insects can be observed on the underside of some leaves, covered in a waxy coating. Mealybugs on the plant resemble small tufts of cotton. Handsome, robust and sturdy, the healthy, mature bougainvillea is undemanding and relatively pest-free. Ants spread the mealybugs infestation as well. A full-time writer since 2007, Axl J. Amistaadt is a DMS 2013 Outstanding Contributor Award recipient. It also works well for many other types of insect pests. Follow the packaging instructions carefully. Both of these can be managed by spraying the leaves thoroughly with a mixture of 2 tablespoons of neem oil in 1 gallon of water, or according to label instructions. Outdoors, bougainvillea can experience a few pests, most notably bougainvillea looper caterpillar, which feeds on the leaves of the plant. Wear sturdy clothing that covers as much skin as possible. Look carefully at all leaf surfaces, above and below, and examine the tender new growth. These bacterial diseases won’t affect you, your pets, most natural predators or the environment but they are deadly to specific insects. 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