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Pest guide · Mealybug

Mealybug control: identify, prevent and treat mealy bugs

Mealybugs hide under a white, waxy coat that protects them from many sprays. Here is how to spot them early and how EcoAgta EZ3+ helps control them on fruit, vegetable and field crops.

Fruit orchard crops, which are commonly attacked by mealybugs

What are mealybugs?

Mealybugs (also written 'mealy bugs') are soft-bodied sap-sucking insects, about 3–4 mm long, covered in a white, powdery, cotton-like wax. They cluster on stems, leaf joints, the underside of leaves, fruit and even roots, and move slowly from plant to plant.

Damaging species in India include the papaya mealybug, the pink hibiscus mealybug, the cotton mealybug, the cassava (tapioca) mealybug and the giant mango mealybug.

The waxy coat sheds water and protects mealybugs from many sprays, and ants carry them to new plants to feed on their honeydew. Thorough spray coverage is the key to controlling them.

Signs of a mealybug attack

  • White, cottony masses on stems, leaf joints, fruit and fruit stalks
  • Sticky honeydew and lots of ants moving on the plant
  • Black sooty mold on leaves and fruit
  • Yellowing, curling or bunched leaves at the shoot tips
  • Leaf drop, fruit drop and small, misshapen fruit

Damage caused by mealybugs

Mealybugs damage both the plant and the market value of the harvest.

  • Weakened plants

    Mealybugs suck sap from shoots and fruit, causing leaf and fruit drop, bunched shoot tips and stunted growth.

  • Spoiled fruit

    White wax, honeydew and sooty mold on fruit make it hard to sell, and traders offer a lower price.

  • Fast spread

    Ants, wind, tools and planting material carry mealybugs to new plants, so a few colonies can cover a field.

Crops commonly attacked by mealybugs

  • Guava
  • Mango
  • Papaya
  • Grapes
  • Citrus
  • Custard apple
  • Tapioca
  • Cotton
  • Brinjal
  • Hibiscus
  • Mulberry
  • Cardamom

EcoAgta EZ3+

How EcoAgta EZ3+ helps control mealybugs

EZ3+ acts on mealybugs, on the honeydew-driven sooty mold that follows them, and on the plant's recovery — in one non-toxic spray.

  • Helps control and deter mealybugs along with whiteflies, aphids and other sap-sucking insects
  • Helps prevent black sooty mold on leaves and fruit
  • Supports healthier shoots, leaves and fruit
  • Non-toxic, non-poisonous and readily biodegradable
  • Zero harm to air, water, soil and the food chain
See EcoAgta EZ3+ detailsDownload Brochure

How to spray EZ3+ for mealybug control

Tree & plantation crops — guava, mango, coconut, lemon, lime, tapioca
1:300 first spray, then 1:400
Soft-leaf crops — tomato, chilli, cucumber, groundnut
1:400
Tender compound-leaf plants
1:400
  1. 1:300 is about 3.3 mL of EZ3+ per litre of water; 1:400 is 2.5 mL per litre.
  2. Use fresh well or stream water. Non-chlorinated water is preferable.
  3. Pour the concentrate into a clean drum of water and mix well for 5 minutes.
  4. Spray between 6:00 and 10:30 AM, or between 3:30 and 6:30 PM.
  5. Cover every leaf and part of the plant, including the undersides of leaves where these pests feed.
  6. Spray when the pest is seen — about three times in a growing season.

Important information

Product performance varies with crop, climate, pest pressure and application practice. Always read the product label before use.

Farmers on mealybug control with EZ3+

Reports from farmers who used EcoAgta EZ3+, in their own words.

  • Whiteflies & Mealybugs Completely Reduced

    In my guava orchard, the infestation of whiteflies and mealybugs was very severe. After using EZ3+, pest infestation has now reduced to almost none. The plants are extremely healthy. The guavas are of high quality and look visually appealing. Because of this, traders are offering higher prices for my guavas. I have had a great experience using EZ3+!
    Mr. T. SelvamGuava · Santhampadi, Natham

  • Pest & Sooty Mold Disease Controlled

    In my guava cultivation, due to severe attacks of whiteflies, mealybugs, and sooty mold fungus disease, the yield dropped by half. Unable to sell the damaged fruits, I reached a point where I thought of cutting down the trees. After using EcoAgta EZ3+ through a friend, pest and disease infestations decreased, and the plants began to grow healthily. New buds emerged and yields increased. From thinking of giving up guava cultivation, today I am happily expanding it! This transformation has given me immense confidence and joy.
    Mr. RameshGuava · Chellakkuttiyur, Ramanathapuram, Dindigul District

Mealybug control — frequently asked questions

How do I get rid of mealybugs naturally?
EcoAgta EZ3+ helps control and deter mealybugs using green chemistry instead of toxic insecticides. Spray it so that it reaches the stems, leaf joints and fruit clusters where the mealybugs hide.
How do I control mealybugs on guava?
Guava farmers in Dindigul district report that whitefly and mealybug attacks reduced after spraying EZ3+. For guava, use 1:300 for the first spray and 1:400 for follow-up sprays, covering the whole tree.
Why are mealybugs so hard to control?
Their white waxy coat sheds water, and they hide in leaf joints, under bark and in fruit clusters. Thorough coverage of every part of the plant is essential.
Do ants spread mealybugs?
Yes. Ants feed on mealybug honeydew, protect the colonies and carry them to new plants. Controlling the mealybugs removes the honeydew that attracts the ants.
What dose should I use for mealybugs on tapioca?
Tapioca is listed with tree and plantation crops on the EZ3+ label: use 1:300 for the first spray and 1:400 for follow-up sprays.
Is fruit from treated plants safe?
EZ3+ is non-toxic and readily biodegradable, made with IUPAC Green Chemistry principles, with zero harm to the food chain. Always follow the label instructions.

More pest control guides

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