Bougainvilleas are beautiful plants that can be found all around the world.
These plants have a lot of benefits, but they also have their drawbacks. One of these drawbacks is pests which can infest and destroy your bougainvillea plant.
Fortunately, there are ways to get rid of these pesky bugs! In this blog post, we will discuss how you can naturally get rid of pests on your Bougainvillea plant, so it thrives for years to come.
Let’s start now!
What kind of bug eats bougainvillea?
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There is a distinct difference between the aphids and spider mites in their size and form. Leaf webbing is also caused by them.
One-inch-long green or brown loopers feed at night on the leaves of Bougainvillea bushes.
The most common bugs that eat bougainvilleas, however, are mealybugs.
Mealybugs have a waxy exterior look and a pesticide-resistant outer shell.
They attach themselves to vines with their mouths, sucking the sap from them as if they were feeding on fruit juice or honeydew.
There is no reason for alarm when your bougainvillea plant seems infested with bugs.
The aphids and spider mites can easily be washed off with a hose and spray nozzle.
All you have to do is mix up some dish soap in a bucket of water, put on gloves for protection against the bugs’ bites or stings, and start spraying!
Other bugs are spider mites, leaf miners, looper caterpillars, thrips, and more.
How to Get Rid of Bugs on Bougainvillea Naturally
The bugs eating bougainvillea most commonly encountered are whiteflies, aphids, and mealybugs.
Whiteflies feed on the plant’s sap by inserting their needle-like mouthparts into the leaves. This causes them to secrete a sticky substance called honeydew that attracts ants, insects, or fungi growths which can cause problems for your bougainvillea.
So, the following are the most effective methods to get rid of bugs on bougainvillea naturally.
How to Get Rid of Thrips
The thrips are tiny, slender insects with fringed wings. They are about 0.08- to 0.12 inches long and have distinctive tube-like mouthparts that they use for feeding on plant sap by inserting them into plants’ leaves or flowers.
Neem oil or insecticide soap can be used to eliminate a colony of thrips which help protect your bougainvillea.
These small monsters attract parasitic wasps, ladybugs, and lacewings, which may be used as an effective outdoor pest management strategy.
How to Get Rid of Aphids
Different species of aphids can attack your beautiful flowers or leaves by sucking out their sap partway through the petals in the early morning to late afternoon.
The best effective method to get rid of aphids on your bougainvillea is to use insecticidal soap.
Insecticidal soaps are made from potassium salts or other naturally occurring materials and target the nervous system of soft-bodied insects, causing them to die quickly.
Also Read: How to Get Rid of Aphids
How to Get Rid of Spider Mite
If spider mites are your problem, then you can get rid of them with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
You should also try to attract natural predators like lady beetles and other insects that feed on spider mite eggs.
How to Get Rid of Snails and Slugs
The use of diatomaceous earth is a great way to get rid of snails and slugs.
You can also try putting crushed eggshells, coffee grounds, or sharp sand around your plants in order to deter them from consuming their leaves.
How to Get Rid of Mealybugs
Despite their appearance, mealybugs are actually a form of scale.
Biological parasites are the most efficient and environmentally friendly technique to get rid of mealybugs.
Over time, the parasites will find and parasitically kill mealybugs.
Cryptolaemus, Syrphid flies, Lacewings, and Ladybugs are all good natural predators of mealybugs.
If biological parasites don’t get rid of your problem, then you can try using insecticidal soap or neem oil to kill the remainder of your bugs.
You should also try to attract natural predators like lady beetles and other insects that feed on spider mite eggs.
How to Get Rid of Leaf Miners
Leaf Miners are most often found on the leaves of plants.
Using a combination of neem oil and insecticidal soap can help prevent leaf miners from becoming adults.
If you notice that your plant is infested with leaf miners, then try to attract natural predators like lady beetles and other insects that feed on spider mite eggs in order to kill them off.
If natural predators don’t work, then you can try using carnivorous plants or fly strips to kill the remainder of your bugs.
How to Get Rid of Bougainvillea Looper Caterpillar
The bougainvillea looper caterpillar is a common pest of bougainvilleas.
In order to get rid of this pest, you should remove the outer margins of your plant’s leaves by hand.
If that is not effective enough, then try using insecticidal soap or neem oil on your plants in order to kill off these bugs before they have a chance to damage your plant.
Natural predators like lady beetles and other insects that feed on spider mite eggs can also help control the population of these bugs.
How to Prevent Bugs From Infesting Bougainvillea in the Future
There are a few ways to keep bugs away and save yourself a lot of trouble in the future.
Keep it well-pruned
You don’t want to let your plants become too wild and out of control. How can you keep track of bugs if the plant is overgrown?
When it comes to pests, prevention really is key! Make sure you’re doing regular pruning on a weekly basis in order to avoid any major infestations down the road. It’s much easier to prevent bugs on your bougainvillea than it is to get rid of them once they’ve appeared.
Another way to avoid future infestation is by keeping your plants neat.
Don’t over-fertilize
You don’t want to over-fertilize your plants. How can you tell when it’s time for another round of fertilization?
Don’t worry, all you need is a little bit in order to keep things looking great! If at all possible, reduce the recommended dosage by half. A plant that is overfed will suffer more harm than you may imagine.
Keep bugs away with neem oil.
One of the best ways to keep your plants bug-free is by using a spray containing Neem Oil. It works great for this purpose and won’t damage any surrounding foliage, making it one of the safest methods around!
Water at the base
Keep the leaves dry by watering the soil instead. How can you tell if your bougainvillea needs water?
It’s important to remember that leaf rot is a big problem with this particular plant, so only water from below in order to avoid any potential issues! Watering at the base will also prevent fungus from forming on the plant.
Don’t overwater
If you overwater your plants, you invite fungus, mold, and mildew to take up residence in your home. Pests that feed on the water are also introduced, which is a significant number.
Silverfish, mosquitoes, and sowbugs are all drawn to high humidity or still water.
Conclusion
With this information, you’ll know how to deal with typical bougainvillea pests.
Now that you’re armed with this information, it’s time to get rid of those pesky pests!
If you’re diligent and consistent, the majority of bougainvillea pests can be eliminated.
Bougainvillea is a hardy decorative plant that will work with you even if you’re short on patience.
It’s safe from most bugs, so that’s always a plus.
