Question From: York, Pennsylvania, United States
Q: Help, mealybugs have infested our hollies. We have sprayed them with soapy water and Neem oil several times but the results have been limited. I am concerned that this nasty ravenous bug will infest the surrounding flowers and plants as I noticed a few mealybugs on the rose campions next to the hollies. Is there anything to "kill" the mealybugs or do I do I need to take out the hollies? (Would prefer to save them.) Also the decaying leaves under the hollies have mealybugs on them too, does the soil need to be treated?
Cheryl, I would use a product called AzaMax. It's organic, OMRI listed. Read and follow the directions. It is not a silver bullet so you must re-apply. Clean up and bag the mess under the hollies and mulch with fresh material. Be sure to spray the undersides of the leaves. Best And Happy Yardening, Nancy.
