Gardenia Bush and Lady of the Night

Question

I have both a Gardenia and Damme De Noche/Lady of the Night. I have discovered little white bugs in a cotton wool-like substance. . also ants. What can I do?

Answer 1

It sounds like your gardenia and Lady of the night may be affected by mealy bugs. If not controlled, they will prove detrimental to the plants. The ants, however, are only attracted to the honeydew left behind from their sap-sucking. Once the mealybugs are gone, the ants will leave too.

You may need to scrape away the white residue and apply several applications of neem oil to remedy the situation. Here is an article or two that you may also find helpful: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/mealybugs-white-residue-on-plants-leaves.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm