Pest identification
What's eating my two-ranked aechmea?
Mealybugs
Signs: Powdery white wax and cottony egg masses tucked between the distichous leaves; leaf yellowing
Control: Remove by hand with alcohol swabs; apply neem oil drench for persistent or soil-based infestations
Scale insects
Signs: Hard or soft shell-like bumps on leaf surfaces; honeydew leading to sooty mould
Control: Scrub off with a toothbrush dipped in soapy water, follow up with isopropyl alcohol wipes
Fungus gnats
Signs: Larvae damage fine roots when potting mix stays overly wet; adult gnats are a nuisance
Control: Allow the top inch of potting mix to dry between waterings; use yellow sticky traps for adults
Keep two-ranked aechmea pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Two-Ranked Aechmea pests — FAQ
What is eating my two-ranked aechmea?
Two-Ranked Aechmea faces the same indoor bromeliad pest complex as other Aechmea species. Mealybugs are the most frequent invader, hiding between the tightly ranked leaves. Scale and spider mites appear in dry conditions. Alcohol swabs and good air circulation are your first line of defence.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on two-ranked aechmea?
Powdery white wax and cottony egg masses tucked between the distichous leaves; leaf yellowing Remove by hand with alcohol swabs; apply neem oil drench for persistent or soil-based infestations
How do I get rid of scale insects on two-ranked aechmea?
Hard or soft shell-like bumps on leaf surfaces; honeydew leading to sooty mould Scrub off with a toothbrush dipped in soapy water, follow up with isopropyl alcohol wipes
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on two-ranked aechmea?
Larvae damage fine roots when potting mix stays overly wet; adult gnats are a nuisance Allow the top inch of potting mix to dry between waterings; use yellow sticky traps for adults