What is the white substance on this indoor plant and how to treat?

[TommyTank007]

Good morning everyone.

We have a few indoor plants at our business. One of them has a white substance. After a quick search it looks like it might be Powdery mildew.

There are a few tips and tricks however, I just want to post it here just in case there are other tips I haven't seen yet. 
Many thanks and have a great day. 

[BradN · Accepted solution]

Hi @TommyTank007 and welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. 

I suspect that those are mealybugs, which can be a real pest on palm trees. I would treat them using pest oil, which will suffocate the individual bugs.

If you want to put in the extra effort, you can get a head start by using a bucket of soapy water and a washcloth to physically remove as many of the mealybugs as possible before letting the plant dry and then applying the pest oil. Make sure to check down along the side of the trunk, where the individual fronds clasp on to the stem, because mealybugs can congregate in those little gaps and crevices as well.

Let me tag our friendly garden experts @Noelle and @Adam_W to see whether they have any other advice.

Cheers and good luck,

Brad

[Noelle]

I think Brad's got this covered pretty well!

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @TommyTank007. It's brilliant to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about identifying bugs on indoor plants.

It's great to see that @BradN has already provided some expert advice that's then been backed up by @Noelle. It looks like you're all sorted, but please reach out again if you continue having issues with your plant after applying the Pest Oil.

Mitchell

[TommyTank007]

Thanks Brad and crew. 
Have a good weekend. 

[BradN]

Thanks, @TommyTank007 . I'm glad we could help!

By the way, make sure to cover both sides of every little leaflet when you're wiping the bugs off and/or applying the pest oil. Otherwise you'll only get half of them! I know how annoying these little critters can be... 

Cheers,

Brad