Such plants are best discarded.
Mealybugs look like white puffs of cotton.
They suck plant juices and heavy infestations will coat the leaves with sticky honeydew. Use house plant insect sprays according to label directions. This information is for educational purposes only. References to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned. This information becomes public property upon publication and may be printed verbatim with credit to MSU Extension.