Mealybug Control

ABOUT MEALYBUGS
Mealybugs are small, soft-bodied insects covered in a white, cottony coating that can quickly become a serious problem for gardens and indoor plants. These pests feed on plant sap, weakening plants and causing stunted growth, yellowing leaves, and even plant death in severe cases. Mealybugs also produce a sticky honeydew residue, which can lead to sooty mold and attract ants. 

IDENTIFICATION OF MEALYBUGS INFESTATION
Mealybugs often hide in hard-to-spot places, such as leaf nodes, the undersides of leaves, and along plant stems. The presence of their white, cotton-like clusters is a clear sign of infestation, along with sticky honeydew on plant surfaces. Plants may also exhibit symptoms like distorted growth or yellowed leaves.

CULTURAL STRATEGIES
Cultural strategies focus on creating an environment that is favorable for plants and less hospitable to pests. Cultivation practices such as maintaining healthy soil, crop rotation, mulching, and companion planting help to create unfavorable conditions for pests.  

PHYSICAL / MECHANICAL CONTROL STRATEGIES
Physical or mechanical control strategies involve the use of physical barriers, tools, or methods to prevent, monitor, or control pests. We offer several products to help with physical/mechanical control, such as:

• Beneficial Insect Netting to keep the good bugs in and the bad bugs out.
• Diatomaceous Earth to create unfavorable conditions for soft-bodied pest insects.

BIOLOGICAL STRATEGIES
One of the most natural and effective ways to control mealybugs is by introducing beneficial insects to your garden. Releasing beneficials creates a self-sustaining solution, where natural predators keep mealybug populations in check. This approach not only protects your plants but also supports biodiversity, making it an ideal choice for eco-friendly pest control.

Unlike harsh chemicals, natural predators take time to establish a population. This is why we recommend releasing the good bugs before thrips infestations are heavy.

GENERAL PREDATORS

• Ladybugs control aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies, mites, thrips, & more.
• Green Lacewing Larvae control aphids, small caterpillars, mealybugs, whiteflies, mites, scale, thrips, & more.
  
• Orius insidiosus (Minute Pirate Bug) controls all life stages of thrips, mealybugs mites, moth eggs, aphids, & more.

TARGETED MEALYBUG CONTROL

• Cryptolaemus montrouzieri (aka "Mealybug Destroyer") controls a variety of mealybugs including citrus, comstock, obscure, solenopsis, mexican, long-tailed, & more.
  Crypto is attracted to and often lay eggs on the mealybugs waxy secretion and egg cases. Larval stage resembles the mealybug.
  

SOFT CHEMICAL CONTROL METHODS
If infestations have gotten too heavy, we also offer soft chemical treatments such as neem oil and insecticidal soap.