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Are the leaves<\/strong> of your plants deformed<\/strong> or pitted<\/strong>, yellowish<\/strong> or appear singed<\/strong>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n The cochineal<\/strong> may be to blame !<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is a parasite<\/strong> a few millimeters in size and usually white or reddish<\/strong> in color<\/strong>, which normally affects garden plants<\/strong> by feeding on their sap<\/strong>, but can also attack houseplants<\/strong>, succulents<\/strong> and entire trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Identifying it is not easy: in order to see these small insects<\/strong>, most of the time, you must use a magnifying glass. It is easier to notice their presence by analyzing the condition of the leaves.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n There are several varieties, but the most common is the cottony mealybug<\/strong>, which produces a substance called honeydew. Molasses has a sugary<\/strong> consistency and can cover entire leaves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This same substance can attract ants<\/strong> and promote the infestation of other parasites and fungi<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cottony mealybug<\/strong> mainly attacks ornamental or citrus seedlings, but it is not said that you can also find them on other plants, especially if, on your balcony<\/strong> or in your garden<\/strong>, the plants are very close to each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once infested with mealybug, you need to intervene quickly<\/strong> to save your plant and prevent it from dying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let’s see together what the best remedies<\/strong> are !<\/p>\n\n\n\n To combat these annoying parasites<\/strong>, you can use an ingredient that will surely not be missing in your homes: Marseille soap<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Both liquid<\/strong> and solid<\/strong> Marseille soap are fine. In the first case, pour a measuring cup<\/strong> (about 30 cc) into a liter of water, in the second, immerse and dissolve a few flakes (about 20 grams).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mix<\/strong> and pour<\/strong> into a spray bottle<\/strong> or vaporizer<\/strong>. Marseille soap<\/strong> creates a kind of patina that suffocates the parasite<\/strong>, quickly causing its death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Important<\/strong>: make sure that the Marseille soap used is completely natural<\/strong>, to prevent chemical additives from damaging the plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alternatively,<\/strong> you can also use propolis<\/strong>, pouring two teaspoons into half a liter of water<\/strong> and following the same procedure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is a more aggressive<\/strong> method than the previous one, but very effective<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pour a tablespoon of denatured alcohol<\/strong> into a quart of water<\/strong> and mix<\/strong>. Alternatively,<\/strong> you can also clean the individual leaves with a cotton ball<\/strong> soaked in alcohol \u2013 this is a less practical but more accurate method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In fact, the denatured alcohol burns the<\/strong> cochineal’s<\/strong> protective membrane and penetrates its body, killing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A completely natural<\/strong> and very effective<\/strong> remedy !<\/p>\n\n\n\n Garlic<\/strong> and onion<\/strong> can be used in two different ways<\/strong> to combat the enemies of our plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first way<\/strong> is to immerse 300 g of minced garlic or onion in a <\/strong>liter of water<\/strong> and spray the mixture on our plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The second<\/strong> is to plant bulbs, already sprouted, of garlic or onion<\/strong> at the base of the seedling that we want to disinfect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In this way, in fact, there will be a kind of proximity protection thanks to the natural repellent action<\/strong> of these foods. Easy, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Very effective also against mites<\/strong> and aphids<\/strong>, flaxseed oil<\/strong> is a real wonder against cochineal<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you decide to use this product, simply dilute about 10 ml in a liter of water<\/strong> and wet the plant<\/strong> with the mixture using a vaporizer<\/strong> or soaked cotton balls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Repeat the process once a week<\/strong> until the mealybug<\/strong> is finally gone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the case of larger plants or trees, it is sometimes necessary to prune the plant strategically<\/strong> : in fact, you should be careful to prune branches or leaves so that the most infested parts are exposed to direct sunlight.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Although it develops mainly in the heat<\/strong> , in fact, the mealybug hates <\/strong>direct sunlight<\/strong> : so, in the most severe cases, you can take advantage of a natural<\/strong> and ever-present ally, the sun<\/em><\/strong> , to fight against unwanted guests!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Always take care of your plants, often rinsing<\/strong> their leaves<\/strong>, especially in the summer<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In fact, plain water is usually enough to separate the parasites from the leaf, <\/strong>slowing<\/strong> down the infestation!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also, if there are ladybugs<\/strong> on your plants, don’t get rid of them! These insects are, in fact, antagonists<\/strong> of the mealybug<\/strong> and will help you defeat it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the many remedies often suggested online is to use white oil<\/strong> or tea<\/strong> oil against mealybug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In fact, these two substances are capable of quickly eradicating the parasite, but in summer they should never be used<\/strong> because they prevent plants from breathing, often causing their death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We remind you that it is very important to consult a specialist if the infestation is more serious.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Are the leaves of your plants deformed or pitted, yellowish or appear singed? The cochineal may be to blame ! It is a parasite a few millimeters in size and usually white or reddish in color, which normally affects garden plants by feeding on their sap, but can also attack houseplants, succulents and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":11240,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9628","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-advice"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.vivodibenessere.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/cocciniglia-rimedi-naturali.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nMarseille soap<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Spray<\/strong> the mixture on the plants, insisting on the most infested parts, in the afternoon. Repeat the process<\/strong> every 3 days.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDenatured alcohol<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Put the mixture in a spray bottle<\/strong> and spray it three times a day every other day<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\ngarlic and onion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Flaxseed oil<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Pruning<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Useful tips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Precaution<\/h2>\n\n\n\n