i have a huge problem with this white fluff on my plants. i thought it was aphids, but when i poke the "fluff" a bunch of tiny insects are in it. i've lost alot of plants this year to it and even in the cool weather i'm still getting them on my plants.
How can i control this..please help.

Answer #2 · Gardenality.com's Answer · Here in central Georgia we had a big infestation of Mealybugs in spring and summer of 2015. If there were just a few on a plant or tree, I usually blasted them with the water hose. When outdoor plants were infested I sprayed with neem oil.

Here's an article about mealybugs and how to control them....

http://www.gardenality.com/Articles/1121/Problems-and-Solutions/Insects/How-To-Control-Mealybugs-In-The-Landscape-and-Garden/default.html)

Answer #1 · Maple Tree's Answer · Hi Angelmyst-There are a couple of insects that may have infested your plants that would leave a white fluffy looking secretion. Mealybugs will commonly leave a white residue on a plant’s leaves that resembles cotton. You will find this residue mostly on the stems and leaves. This residue is either the egg sacs of the mealybugs or the pests themselves. If the white substance looks like spit or foam this substance may be a fluid that was secreted by a variety of Spittlebug. Both these insects secrete these substances to hid under for protection from other insects. Both of these insects harm plants by sucking the juices from the leaves eventually harming the plant. If you could upload an upclose picture of a leaf or stem with this white fluff on it it would help to identify the insect pest. Above this and to the right of your name below your question you will see where you can upload any picture you have saved on your computer. I uploaded a few pictures below for you to look at. If any of these pictures of the mealybug and spittlebug and substance they sucrete look like what you have let me know.

If you upload any picture I will be notified and will get back to you as soon as possible. Any comments you have regarding an answer, just use the comments boxes below.

John)