---
title: "Pretty sure it’s mealy bugs but I haven’t had them before for not…"
description: "Pretty sure it’s mealy bugs but I haven’t had them before for not positive? Help. Also I know I have to treat it but I want to do so without causing crown rot.…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/65380540c596e87a66402fd6"
community: "Pests, diseases and problems"
author: "Kenzo"
published: "2023-10-24T17:56:16.419Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/rvlx2Ks9OoSzW2ygdEyFtOoy83tp2yTXGkcgkn4CuWs/e5a56ace55a149a1b0d02e64b7369bf7.webp?size=large"
---

[Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [Pests, diseases and problems](https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ.md)

# Pretty sure it’s mealy bugs but I haven’t had them before for not…

_Posted by Kenzo on 2023-10-24_

Pretty sure it’s mealy bugs but I haven’t had them before for not positive? Help. Also I know I have to treat it but I want to do so without causing crown rot. I know I need to spray the fern and get rid of the bugs I just have gotten crown rot from getting water in the crown before. I’m not sure how to avoid getting water in crown bc that’s where a lot of bugs are.

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/rvlx2Ks9OoSzW2ygdEyFtOoy83tp2yTXGkcgkn4CuWs/e5a56ace55a149a1b0d02e64b7369bf7.webp?size=large)

## 3 comments

### Tigerlilly commented on 2023-10-24

it’s hard to tell from these photos (might be thrips too but…). the easiest way to tell is to take a q-tip dipped in alcohol and when you touch a mealy, they turn brown (instantly dead too).

### Women are Water commented on 2023-10-24

I think so too. Or perhaps mealy bug larvae

### Luvercrew commented on 2023-10-25

To me it looks more like thrips-I hate those suckers

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