---
title: "I have a meelybug infestation that I'm battling. The problem that I'm…"
description: "I have a meelybug infestation that I'm battling. The problem that I'm having is that from having to wipe down the leaves of my monstera adansonii, they are…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/aQA5AdjElW5eIY9ysP99cF"
community: "Pests, diseases and problems"
author: "SHELL"
published: "2025-08-28T15:52:25.546543Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v2/cloudinary/global_data/communities/pestsDiseasesAndProblems.jpg"
---

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# I have a meelybug infestation that I'm battling. The problem that I'm…

_Posted by SHELL on 2025-08-28_

I have a meelybug infestation that I'm battling. The problem that I'm having is that from having to wipe down the leaves of my monstera adansonii, they are getting damaged. The leaves are splitting and falling off. The same with one of my bird of paradise. All the leaves have tears in them. Any options to protect the leaves? It's causing me some distress.

## 5 comments

### Sunny commented on 2025-08-28

Try buying ladybugs to clear the infestation. No leaf damage. You may need a netting to keep them from leaving the plant especially if the plant is indoors. 🪴🍀🐞

### Nunyabzwx commented on 2025-08-28

Are gou spraying alcohol on them? And in the soil? I have used a qtip dipped in rubbing alcohol and gone into all the crevices. It kills them. Then spray them with the alcohol every 3 to 5 days until they're gone. See if that works. You poor thing. Pests are a nightmare!!

#### SHELL replied on 2025-08-28

Yes to spraying alcohol on the leaves, not the soil. There's dictomonous earth in most of them after an ant infestation. Then after wiping them down, I'm spraying insecticide that they suggested at the nursery. That goes into the soil and the leaves.

### Nunyabzwx commented on 2025-08-28

Ok keep doing that faithfully. They should go away soon. Pests are such a pain.

### SHELL commented on 2025-08-31

I've decided, I'm going to toss it and get another one. There are only two that are the problem. The bird of paradise and the Swiss cheese monstera. I'll just start over. Maybe skip the Swiss cheese because this is my third attempt at this plant. The first two died and this one has bugs. Clearly, we are not meant to be in each other's lives.

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