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Unique organically certified pyrethrum and plant-based oil combination insecticide, with twin modes of action against garden pests.
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Pseudococcidae
What are Mealybugs?
Mealybugs are small flat-bodied insects, covered with a powdery-looking white coating; some have a fringe of white cottony threads attached to their bodies. Mealybugs feed by sucking on plant juices, then excrete a sweet, sticky substance called honeydew which attracts ants. Honeydew also provides a perfect medium for sooty mould growth.
A persistent offender is the Longtailed Mealybug (Pseudococcus longispinus)
Mild temperatures and high humidity are perfect conditions for mealybugs to breed, as a new generation of eggs hatches every 2-3 weeks, from spring through to autumn. Immature mealybugs prefer to hide in plant crevices or in the elbows between leaves and stems, so by the time you spot an adult the population can be bigger than you expect. Prolonged hot weather helps to reduce numbers.
Heavy infestations can occur on citrus, and grapes, plus daphne and other ornamental plants. Orchids and ferns can be vulnerable, especially in shadehouses. Mealybugs can also attack bulbs during storage, also the roots of some plants, such as polyanthus, liliums and callas.
Symptoms
New growth appears distorted with a whitish substance in the leaf axils. Close inspection will reveal the mealybugs.
Plants impacted
- Citrus trees
- Daphne
- Other ornamental plants
- Orchids
- Ferns
- Bulbs in storage
- The roots of some plants such as polyanthus, liliums and callas.
Yates Conqueror Spraying Oil
An intermediate spraying oil for control of scale, mites and mealy bug on fruit trees, grapes and ornamentals.
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Scale insects spend most of their lives immobile, sucking nutritious sap from plants. They vary a lot in appearance: some hide under a hard scaly shield, some exude soft waxy or cottony coatings.
Sooty Mould
Fungi that form a black, ashy-looking coating on plant leaves and stems. Sooty mould grows on sticky honeydew secreted by insects, so it's a symptom of a sucking insect problem. Often accompanied by ants.
Ants
Ants don't damage plants directly, but can aggravate the damage caused by sap-sucking insects, by protecting them from predators. Ants are a nuisance when they invite themselves indoors, so here's how to control the situation.
Aphids
Aphids are small, sap-sucking insects which can cause a lot of damage to your plants. They're usually found clustered on new shoots and buds. Here's how to identify, then get rid of them.
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