Scale and Mealybugs
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That white cottony fuzz and those waxy bumps are mealybugs and scale, quietly draining your plants. Learn to spot scale insect damage and exactly how to get rid of mealybugs naturally.
Products in this Collection
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CHRYSOforce™ R – lacewing larvae in bottle (1,000) 
CHRYSOforce™ R – lacewing larvae in bottle (1,000)
CHRYSOforce™ R – lacewing larvae in bottle (1,000)
$23.05 USDSale price $23.05 USD Regular price -
CRYPTOforce™ – mealybug destroyer (100/ 250/ 500) 
CRYPTOforce™ – mealybug destroyer (100/ 250/ 500)
CRYPTOforce™ – mealybug destroyer (100/ 250/ 500)
$44.95 USDSale price $44.95 USD Regular price -
CHRYSOforce™ R – lacewing eggs on cards (5,000) 
CHRYSOforce™ R – lacewing eggs on cards (5,000)
CHRYSOforce™ R – lacewing eggs on cards (5,000)
$21.74 USDSale price $21.74 USD Regular price -
CHRYSOforce™ R – lacewing eggs in loose form (5,000/ 10,000/ 100,000) 
CHRYSOforce™ R – lacewing eggs in loose form (5,000/ 10,000/ 100,000)
CHRYSOforce™ R – lacewing eggs in loose form (5,000/ 10,000/ 100,000)
$23.44 USDSale price $23.44 USD Regular price -
CHRYSOforce™ R – lacewing larvae in hexcell unit (400) 
CHRYSOforce™ R – lacewing larvae in hexcell unit (400)
CHRYSOforce™ R – lacewing larvae in hexcell unit (400)
$32.22 USDSale price $32.22 USD Regular price -
CHRYSOforce™ R – lacewing larvae in bulk (5,000/ 10,000) 
CHRYSOforce™ R – lacewing larvae in bulk (5,000/ 10,000)
CHRYSOforce™ R – lacewing larvae in bulk (5,000/ 10,000)
$154.95 USDSale price $154.95 USD Regular price -
CHRYSOforce™ R – lacewing adults (100/250/1,000) 
CHRYSOforce™ R – lacewing adults (100/250/1,000)
CHRYSOforce™ R – lacewing adults (100/250/1,000)
$61.67 USDSale price $61.67 USD Regular price
› Grower guide More information about Scale and Mealybugs
That white, cottony fuzz in the leaf joints — or the waxy bumps stuck to the stems — isn't mold or part of the plant. It's scale and mealybugs, and here's how to identify them and exactly how to get rid of mealybugs naturally.
Scale insects and mealybugs are slow-moving, sap-sucking pests that hide under waxy or cottony armor. They drip honeydew, grow black sooty mold, and quietly weaken plants — and because that armor shrugs off sprays, they're a perfect job for specialist predators.
How to identify scale and mealybugs
Mealybugs look like little tufts of white cotton tucked into leaf axils and along stems; scale appear as small brown, tan, or waxy bumps glued to stems and leaf veins. Both leave sticky honeydew and sooty mold and cause yellowing, stunting, and leaf drop.
Why they are so hard to control
Their waxy coating repels contact sprays, they tuck into bark and crevices, and overlapping generations mean survivors quickly rebuild the colony. Ants make it worse by protecting them from natural enemies.
How to get rid of mealybugs and scale naturally
Inspect stems and leaf joints, wipe or prune the worst clusters, control ants, and release specialist predators that hunt these pests in their hiding spots — breaking the cycle with no residue.
Beneficials that stop scale & mealybugs
- CRYPTOforce (Cryptolaemus mealybug destroyer) — adults and larvae devour mealybugs and their eggs.
- CHRYSOforce R green lacewings — broad predators for crawlers and colonies.
- SuffOil-X — horticultural oil to reduce heavy populations before introductions.
Ready to build a program? Shop the full Mealybug Control collection.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get rid of mealybugs for good?
Combine sanitation, ant control, and horticultural oil with sustained releases of the mealybug destroyer beetle and lacewings to clear hidden colonies and prevent rebound.
What is the difference between scale and mealybugs?
Both are sap-feeders; mealybugs are mobile with a cottony coat, while scale are mostly stationary under a hard or waxy shell.
What causes mealybugs and scale?
Warm, stable indoor conditions, infested plants, and ant activity that shields them from predators.
Does rubbing alcohol kill mealybugs?
A dab of alcohol kills mealybugs on contact for spot treatment, but it won't reach hidden colonies — pair it with predators for lasting control.