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Pest identification

What's eating my begonia 'it'?

Mealybugs

Signs: Cottony white deposits in leaf axils and at rhizome joints; foliage yellows and growth slows.

Control: Spot-treat colonies with alcohol swabs; spray entire plant with neem oil solution weekly for four weeks, and isolate immediately.

Spider mites

Signs: Dusty pale stippling across the large leaf surface; fine webbing on undersides in hot, dry rooms.

Control: Shower foliage; apply insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil spray every five to seven days. Maintain humidity above 50%.

Scale insects

Signs: Hard brown lumps along petioles and on leaf veins; leaves become sticky and develop sooty mould.

Control: Scrape off with a soft brush dipped in soapy water; apply horticultural oil or neem oil to smother remaining scale crawlers.

Keep begonia 'it' pest-free

Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:

Begonia 'It' pests — FAQ

What is eating my begonia 'it'?

Begonia 'It', a rhizomatous houseplant prized for its large star-shaped leaves, is most commonly attacked by mealybugs. The broad foliage and leaf axils offer ideal shelter. Spider mites can become problematic in centrally heated rooms. Monthly stem-and-axil inspections and good air circulation keep this plant healthy.

How do I get rid of mealybugs on begonia 'it'?

Cottony white deposits in leaf axils and at rhizome joints; foliage yellows and growth slows. Spot-treat colonies with alcohol swabs; spray entire plant with neem oil solution weekly for four weeks, and isolate immediately.

How do I get rid of spider mites on begonia 'it'?

Dusty pale stippling across the large leaf surface; fine webbing on undersides in hot, dry rooms. Shower foliage; apply insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil spray every five to seven days. Maintain humidity above 50%.

How do I get rid of scale insects on begonia 'it'?

Hard brown lumps along petioles and on leaf veins; leaves become sticky and develop sooty mould. Scrape off with a soft brush dipped in soapy water; apply horticultural oil or neem oil to smother remaining scale crawlers.