Solving Mealybugs
Nov 09, 2025
Mealybugs could be setting up camp on your houseplants right now and you wouldn’t know it, because they’re super tiny and they don’t look like bugs. Females and nymphs—the ones that may do the most harm—are wingless and immobile. So how do you know if you have a problem?
Look for the damage. Both adults and juveniles feed on plants, extracting the sap. This results in misshapen, yellowing leaves that sometimes just fall off the plant, reducing photosynthesis. That leads to flowers and fruit dropping off and reduces flower and fruit production.
Now, the sap is low in proteins and rich in sugars. Mealybugs consume large quantities of it to get enough protein, and get rid of the excess sugars in the form of honeydew, which is a breeding ground for dark, sooty molds. Combine that mold with the white, waxy secretions of the mealybugs and you have one highly unappealing plant. It only takes a small population of the pests to make this happen.
Mealybugs love summer weather but they’re actually pests for all seasons outdoors. In the South, where winters are warm, they’re a year-long problem. In the North, where winters are cold, they become a problem as soon as the weather starts to warm up in spring. For houseplants, they can be an issue at any time because it’s typically warm inside the house.
To make matters worse, mealybugs have a protective waxy coating that makes them difficult to control with pesticides. This is especially problematic on a dense, bushy plant where it’s harder to reach them. They often survive the chemicals and simply re-emerge shortly afterward to do more damage.
Natural Enemies Biocontrols can help.
One very effective natural enemy of mealybugs is the predatory beetle, Cryptolaemus motrouzieri, available under the name Cryptobug-L. Beetle larvae are less mobile than adults, as they can’t fly and they can’t see. They have one job: to eat mealybugs right away. Don’t blink or you’ll miss it. You can watch them clean up a dense plant in as little as 15 minutes after you apply them, chasing mealybugs into the nooks and crannies.
If the pest population is already at critical mass, this is the immediate solution. Cryptobug-L can be applied as soon as the first hotspots are detected. Larvae remain where they are released and quickly clean up the incursion.
Cryptobug adults are another strong option. These beetles are highly mobile and can fly, making them effective for controlling mealybugs across larger growing areas. Adults actively seek out pests and provide sustained control, making them suitable for situations where mealybugs may spread or reappear over time. Cryptobug is closely related to the ladybug, both belonging to the Coccinellidae family. Cryptobug adults closely resemble ladybugs in shape, but differ in coloration—they have black shells with orange extremities instead of the classic red-and-black spotted pattern.
Chrysopa (Green Lacewing) is both a curative and preventative solution. Lacewing larvae are aggressive feeders that target mealybugs as well as aphids, thrips, and other soft-bodied pests. Chrysopa works well for active infestations and is equally valuable for preventative programs, helping keep pest pressure low before problems start. Its adaptability makes it a go-to choice for growers who want broad-spectrum biological control.
If, down the road, some stray mealybugs wander in, Isarid™ Mycoinsecticide is the way to prevent them from becoming more of a problem. These spores lie in wait among the foliage (you can’t see them) and are highly infectious on any mealybugs that get too close. There is no such thing as a harmless mealybug—it’s important to keep pressure on the stragglers.
You’ll know Isarid™ is working when you spot infected mealybugs. They become fuzzier and whiter than normal, as the spores multiply inside their bodies, splitting their exoskeletons and spreading the spores to other victims.
Isarid™ Mycoinsectidide can be used on the same plant with beneficials, we recommend applying Isarid prior to beneficials, and waiting 3 days after beneficial application to treat with Isarid again.
Start a live chat with your Natural Enemies support agent to find the most effective solution for your specific plant and environment.
