Mealybug Identification & Prevention

Frequently Asked Questions About Mealybugs

What Are Mealybugs?

Mealybugs are scale insects (herbivores) that live in large populations throughout Florida as they thrive in warm, humid climates. Many species of mealybugs live throughout our state, most targeting indoor and outdoor ornamental plants.

Some interesting facts about these insects include:

• Adult females are wingless and live between three and four weeks. Females lay between 300 and 600 eggs in their lifetime.
• Their eggs are oval, light yellow, and, in favorable environmental conditions, hatch in about five to ten days.
• Adult males have wings, but they don’t have feeding mouthparts. Males have short lives, only existing to fertilize the females.

Mealybugs are small, soft insects with oval bodies covered in a waxy substance that protects them from weather elements and many pesticide sprays. Reach out to us today for pest and lawn care services in Cape Coral!

Are Mealybugs Dangerous?

Mealybugs aren’t directly dangerous to people as they don’t bite or sting, but they are a nuisance and a danger to plants in your yard and home. These insects use their specialized mouthparts to suck out a plant’s sap. As they feed, they inject toxins into the plant, which can stunt the plant's growth, cause its leaves to turn yellow, and eventually cause plant death.

Mealybugs produce honeydew, a sugary waste product. Honeydew attracts ants and other pests to plants and is associated with the growth of sooty mold. Over time, the dark mold can cover a plant and reduce its ability to absorb the sun’s light.

These insects can infest plants in large numbers and are quite challenging to control and eliminate without the help of professional home pest control and lawn care solutions.

Why Do I Have a Mealybug Problem?