Grape Vine

[Goodacres]

My Grape Vine growing in the conservatory is covered with a white sticky substance which I believe is mealy bug. A huge crop of grapes is totally wrecked. I have found traces of the bug on an umbrella plant in another part of the house. I am not sure of the age of the vine but I think it is more than twenty years old. As everything in the vicinity of the vine is covered in a sticky mess,my husband wants to cut it down. Is this the only solution?

[molly]

It would be a shame to cut it down. If you don't mind using chemicals you should try a systemic insecticide such as Provado Ultimate Bug Killer Spray.

Alternatively you could try a biolgical control http://www.angliangardener.co.uk/green_up_your_fingers/pest_ diseases/mealy_bugs.htm