Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Thursday - July 07, 2011
From: Washington,, DC
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Pests
Title: Mealy bugs on plants in Washington, DC
Answered by: Jimmy Mills
QUESTION:
Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, There is this white stuff, looking like snow flakes, that is attacking my office plants. I use gasduster to blow it off of them, but that does not stop it from reappearing. What is it and how can I protect my plants against it? I feel so sorry for my plant. Please advise. Thank you,ANSWER:
Mr. Smarty Plants thinks that your plants may have been invaded by mealy bugs. Go to this link and scroll down to the mealy bug pictures to see if these are the villains. This link from Iowa State University will tell you more about mealy bugs, and this link from guide -to-houseplants.com has tips for getting rid of them.
Using the gasduster is probably enhancing the spread of the mealy bugs to other plants in your office.
More Pests Questions
Identification of insects on crepe myrtle in Florida
May 22, 2013 - I have large colonies of striped bugs on large crepe myrtle in my backyard. They stay in large groups and have long antennae. There are larger black bugs among the groups that appear to corral and g...
view the full question and answer
Red spider mites in native bluebonnets in Austin
April 02, 2008 - What would you do if the WFC bluebonnets developed a bad case of red spider mites? That is what has happened to many of mine here in Austin. I noticed them the other day and I must have been asleep be...
view the full question and answer
Problems with beheaded non-native Gerbera daisies in Cooperstown, NY
May 31, 2009 - I planted my gerberas in my perennial bed - as usual. Something is beheading them and leaving the blooms along side the plant. Some of the bloom is eaten but most of it is right there.
I have t...
view the full question and answer
Question about a beetle eating bees
August 22, 2015 - I have a beetle that is about index finger or pinkie fingernail size. I have a bee hive and it's eating the bees by injecting it with an inch long probe and sucking out the liquid of my bees.
view the full question and answer
Spots on persimmon tree leaves from Dripping Springs TX
July 10, 2013 - We are in rural Hays County Texas off Hamilton Pool Rd Texas. Large persimmon trees are turning yellow, blackish spots on underside of leaves. What do we do?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |