White Bugs on My Hostas

Question

Does anyone know what these white bugs are? They are on my hostas and on my sister in law's flowers too. Any suggestions for eliminating them? I'd rather not use something toxic. I have a small grandson who loves to help garden.

Pam · Answer

Can't really tell from the picture, but it looks like whitefly. Try an insecticidal soap...most nurseries or even your local hardware store will probably carry it.

Sheila E · Answer

Wooly aphids.

Jeanine Wester · Answer

If it is aphids I know ladybugs eat them. I don't remember what store I was at, but there are some places I've seen selling actual packages of ladybugs that you can release in your garden to eat the aphids.

S.venkatesan · Answer

To eliminate these white bugs, the only way is to use awater jet on that leaves and stems. In addition you have to add some Neem powder tothe root soil once in amonth to get better results.

Douglas Hunt · Answer

S. Venkatesan is correct. Usually a good blast of water will get rid of aphids. If not, try a commercially available insecticidal soap or neem oil.

Julie J · Answer

Thanks, everyone. I'll be after these guys today!

April E · Answer

actually this looks like mealy bugs they are a scale insect that are hard to get rid of are they 'fuzzy' it seems so from your picture and the positioning on the plant is proper for mealy bugs 
go to you local garden center with some of the bugs in a plastic bag and make sure also ask them for the proper chemicals to rid yourself of them usually the best way is a systemic insecticide and also swiping them w/ a alcohol swab will help for some instant kill but you have to use the systemic for quite awhile as their eggs can be 'dormant for months

Julie J · Answer

Thanks, April. They are fuzzy and almost like powder.

Sheila E · Answer

https://www.google.com/search?q=wooly+aphids&client=firefox-a&hs=XUQ&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=nv3MUfHONvWn4APRn4DoDg&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1280&bih=695

Sheila E · Answer

Scale: http://lynchplanthealthcare.com/insectsdiseases/scales/

Peg · Answer

Fill a pot with water & add few squirts of liquid DAWN. Pour over whole plant...................

Peg · Answer

Julie, use this on any plants in your garden....Does work

Gabrielle Falk · Answer

Could it be the 'mealie' bug (that's what it is called in Australia).  Powdery in appearance. I took a plant to the nursery years ago, not knowing anything about gardening, with this powdery 'thing' on it, and the nursery man nearly went hysterical as they didn't have any in the nursery. Poor fellow. It travels from plant to plant easily.  Have you tried white oil?

Julie J · Answer

Hi @Gabrielle Falk! I am not sure, and it very well could be. Thank you for the information and I'll check it out! I haven't tried to grow them again since that year.

Megs · Answer

Nope! These are on my plants, too and I've just researched them as well. they're juvenile plant hoppers. They'll actually do little damage to the plant, so no worries! However, you can spray them off with a hose, no insecticides needed, which is a plus.

Here's where I found my info.:

http://www.walterreeves.com/insects-and-animals/plant-hoppers-roosting-on-stems/

Good luck!

Here's where I found my info.:

http://www.walterreeves.com/insects-and-animals/plant-hoppers-roosting-on-stems/

Good luck!

White Bugs on My Hostas

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White Bugs on My Hostas

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