---
title: "I just discovered a couple of small mealy bugs on my orchid - one on…"
description: "I just discovered a couple of small mealy bugs on my orchid - one on the flower and another on a leaf. I wiped the bug off with a q tip, but I bet there’s more…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/JmTUi1iSQr6-tX35luAMXQ/dxkUsYOQwwJRjnzdTPLkWN"
community: "The Orchid Oasis"
author: "Amy"
published: "2025-07-21T06:43:37.339615Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/lWTjWGwwun1muSeAQxsoBCK67Od3_D1F554RFf3AQ7o/IsrtKYeWThG56tCZUXgQ4g.webp?size=large"
---

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# I just discovered a couple of small mealy bugs on my orchid - one on…

_Posted by Amy on 2025-07-21_

I just discovered a couple of small mealy bugs on my orchid - one on the flower and another on a leaf. I wiped the bug off with a q tip, but I bet there’s more that I can’t see. How do I get rid of mealy bugs on my orchid that’s in bloom? I haven’t had mealy bug problems before and the orchid lives next to other orchids and indoor plants on a bookshelf. Should I repot ALL the plants on the shelf? I’m worried about repotting while the orchid is in bloom. What percentage of isopropyl alcohol do you use to spray the bugs? Will hydrogen peroxide kill the bugs that could be in the potting media?

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/lWTjWGwwun1muSeAQxsoBCK67Od3_D1F554RFf3AQ7o/IsrtKYeWThG56tCZUXgQ4g.webp?size=large)

## 8 comments

### Jen commented on 2025-07-21

No- peroxide is not helpful- also, I wouldn’t spray the alcohol, as it can damage the blooms and roots. Use a q-tip, dip into the alcohol and remove any you see- continue to remove any you come across over the next couple of weeks. In addition, dip the q-tip repeatedly and wipe the nooks and crannies of the leaves and crown. They like to hide in the crevices. I do this every 3-4 days. When it’s finished blooming- then repot, and continue treatment if you find any evidence of pests in the potting medium.

#### Jen replied on 2025-07-21

Isolate this plant and repeatedly check those around it. Treat them all the same if you find more. It won’t hurt to treat the leaves of all the nearby orchids with alcohol, even if you don’t see any. It will be a good preventative measure as there could be eggs or immature mealies in there. Best to get them now. I’m sorry you are going through this. It IS manageable, but a pain. PS- you have a beautiful orchid here.

#### Amy replied on 2025-07-22

Thank you for the guidance. I’ll start doing a preventative treatment on all the plants near this orchid and keep my fingers crossed the mealy bugs haven’t spread too far. Fingers crossed

### Amy commented on 2025-07-22

Is 70% alcohol ok or is that too strong and I should dilute it?

#### Jen replied on 2025-07-23

I use 70% undiluted.

### Michelle’s Hobby commented on 2025-07-30

I’ve also used neem oil and just spray the bark lightly.

#### Amy replied on 2025-07-30

Is it ok to spray the leaves with neem oil?

I’ve been doing the q tip with alcohol method and I did wipe the leaves down with alcohol too. I’ve found a few more smaller mealy bugs hiding in the leaf crevices but no big bugs. Unfortunately I did find a mealy on another plant nearby, so I have to check all my plants.  
I’ve never had mealy bugs be a problem before. Guess I’ve been lucky until now

#### Michelle’s Hobby replied on 2025-08-02

I did but very lightly. The over sprayed my desert rose and lost all the leaves 🍁 so sad! Haven’t sprayed orchid leaves. Just the bark

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