Pink Hibiscus Mealybugs have been spotted in Pearland and in Southwest Houston.

This is not good news for the hibiscus growers in the area. White mealybugs are hard to get rid of and the pink are ever harder. The main difference is the pink will inject the plant with a toxin that can kill the plant. This will cause a distortion in the leaves. 

Use Imidacloprid at 3 Tablespoons per gallon of water as a drench. Pouring about a cup of this solution in the pot or around the base of an in ground plant will treat the soil. Also, spray the foliage with Bifenehrin at 3 Tablespoons per gallon until dripping off the leaves. It helps to put 1 Tablespoon of mild soap in with the insecticide to help it stay on the leaves.

Make sure you spray the undersides of the leaves. Both applications may need to be repeated as long as you see the bugs.