Pictured bugs are found on the taproot of this chicka
by Paper_Parasaur
Pictured bugs are found on the taproot of this chicka
by Paper_Parasaur
17 Comments
I could be wrong, but they look like scale insects.
I think maybe mealybugs, i know they often eat above ground but some can live below. I have. Never seen these in person so can not confirm
Mealy bugs. Very hard to get rid of especially when it’s in the roots. Alcohol does kill them though. You could try spraying with that, then isolating. Systemic bonide works too
Root mealybugs.
Mealy bugs. But yes you can keep her 🙂
I had them on my succulent and dealt with them for years… extremely hard to get rid of. Any other plants could be infected too.
Curious if it started showing any damage above ground? Those are definitely root mealies!
Not the mealy fucks
I’ve had root mealies before. I got rid of them by removing all dirt from infected plants, the dipping the entire plants in about 70% rubbing alcohol for 30 seconds or so. Then rinse the plant well in fresh water and let it dry out before replanting in fresh soil.
Definitely mealybugs. I had some get down in my plant roots and a year later I am still fighting them. I wish you the best of luck 🫡
Please be advised, these are not mealybugs, but rather root mealybugs. There’s a difference… trust me. Regular mealybugs are easy to treat. Root mealies are the worst! Cut all roots and rinse them. Let them sit for 7 days, (enough time to kill any stragglers and have any hatchers die too). They cannot live long without roots. So this process is way easier on succulents than a regular houseplant.
Hate them with a passion. Had to cut down a tree because of them. I now use a Bonide product that you add to the soil that has helped tremendously. Look for soil drench.
Check whatever plants are/were adjacent
Just for clarity: Root mealybugs (Rhizoecus spp) are not related to foliage mealybugs which are either Pseudococcus or Planococcus spp.
I thought this was someone’s hair covered in lice for a second ðŸ˜
Toss it. Clean a leaf with alcohol and restart it if the leaves were untouched. Mealybugs and root mealybugs especially are such a pain to eradicate.
Ugh, root mealybugs are the absolute WORST 😩 You can totally save her tho, just give those roots a good soak/scrub and use some systemic treatment!
Ugh nooo, those look like mealybugs 😬 You def can save her tho! Isolate immediately and go dunk those roots in some diluted isopropyl alcohol or a strong neem bath, for real.