Pest identification
What's eating my begonia peltata?
Mealybugs
Signs: Cottony white wax at stem joints and leaf bases; sticky honeydew and sooty mold follow
Control: Remove with alcohol-dipped cotton swabs; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; repeat every 7 days
Fungus gnats
Signs: Larvae damage fine roots in soggy soil; adult gnats hover around soil surface
Control: Let the top 2 inches of soil dry out; apply Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) drench; use yellow sticky traps
Spider mites
Signs: Pale stippling and fine webbing on leaf undersides in hot, dry conditions
Control: Wipe leaves with a damp cloth; treat with insecticidal soap or dilute neem oil spray weekly until clear
Keep begonia peltata pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Begonia peltata pests — FAQ
What is eating my begonia peltata?
Begonia peltata is a succulent-leaved houseplant susceptible to mealybugs sheltering beneath its thick foliage, and to fungus gnats when soil stays too wet. Its waxy leaves resist some pests, but mealybugs exploit the dense growth habit. Allow soil to dry between waterings to discourage fungus gnats, and check leaf undersides weekly.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on begonia peltata?
Cottony white wax at stem joints and leaf bases; sticky honeydew and sooty mold follow Remove with alcohol-dipped cotton swabs; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; repeat every 7 days
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on begonia peltata?
Larvae damage fine roots in soggy soil; adult gnats hover around soil surface Let the top 2 inches of soil dry out; apply Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) drench; use yellow sticky traps
How do I get rid of spider mites on begonia peltata?
Pale stippling and fine webbing on leaf undersides in hot, dry conditions Wipe leaves with a damp cloth; treat with insecticidal soap or dilute neem oil spray weekly until clear