๐ฟ Mealybug Destroyers (Cryptolaemus montrouzieri) are beneficial ladybugs that feed on mealybugs and can be an effective biological control for houseplants and greenhouse plants. In this video, I show how I released these helpful predators into my indoor garden and where they quickly began searching for and feeding on mealybugs. Follow along as I demonstrate the release process, explain how to prepare your plants beforehand, and share tips for helping these beneficial insects thrive while they clean up a mealybug infestation naturally.
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Using Mealybug Destroyers to Control Mealybugs
Welcome to HealthyHouseplants.com, where I teach you all about gardening in the great indoors.
Today, I’m releasing what are known as mealybug destroyers. Their botanical name is Cryptolaemus montrouzieri. These little creatures are actually a type of ladybug that can be very effective at controlling mealybugs on houseplants.
I ordered mealybug destroyers several years ago, and they did a really nice job of keeping mealybugs under control in my indoor garden for a long time. They are also commonly used in greenhouses for biological pest control.
Mealybug destroyers eat all stages of mealybugs and can also feed on the larval stages of some scale insects.
Preparing to Release Mealybug Destroyers
Before releasing the mealybug destroyers, I misted the foliage of my plants because the instructions recommended doing so before releasing them.
The little ladybugs were active and moving around in their container, so they appeared ready to acclimate and get started.
There are several places online where you can purchase mealybug destroyers. When choosing a supplier, consider the quantity available, shipping requirements, and how close the supplier is to you.
The quantities can range from as few as 10 insects to as many as 500, depending on the size of your growing space and the number of plants you need to treat.
When releasing them, you can place some directly onto the plants, but it’s also helpful to leave the container nearby so the remaining insects can make their way out on their own.
Make Sure Mealybug Destroyers Have Food and Water
If you don’t have many plants or a significant pest problem, you may only need a small number of mealybug destroyers.
You also need to make sure they have enough food. Since these beneficial insects feed on mealybugs and some scale insects, they need a suitable pest population to survive.
After releasing them, I quickly found one moving onto an orchid leaf where mealybugs were present. It appeared to start feeding in the areas where the pests were hiding.
The mealybug destroyers were also exploring crevices and other areas where mealybugs or scale insects could be found.
It’s fascinating to see these beneficial insects up close. The mealybugs can be surprisingly similar in size to the mealybug destroyers, and the destroyers may even become covered with some of the white material associated with the pests while feeding.
Five Days After Releasing the Mealybug Destroyers
Five days after releasing the mealybug destroyers, I found several of them around the indoor garden, including some near the windows.
I also noticed that they seemed to need water.
After misting the plants, one of the mealybug destroyers became noticeably more active. Another insect that I found near a window was moving more slowly but appeared to be drinking water from the misted foliage.
This suggests that providing a source of moisture can be important when keeping these beneficial insects in your indoor garden.
Misting the plants can provide water without creating a situation where the insects could become submerged. The goal is to provide accessible moisture while keeping the plants and growing environment healthy.
When I find the mealybug destroyers feeding, such as on a plant with scale, I also spray a little water around the area. This gives them an opportunity to drink while they are feeding.
So, when using mealybug destroyers, keep an eye on them. Make sure they have food and make sure they have access to water.
More Than a Week After Releasing Them
More than a week after releasing the mealybug destroyers, the results were impressive.
One plant that had previously been affected by mealybugs was completely clean. Many of my other plants were also free of mealybugs.
I was still seeing some of the little ladybugs around the indoor garden, so they appeared to remain active after more than a week.
Overall, this was an interesting and enjoyable biological pest-control experiment. It was especially rewarding to see the mealybugs disappear from the plants.
If you’re dealing with mealybugs on your houseplants, mealybug destroyers may be a biological pest-control option worth considering.
Thank you for stopping by today. Please leave any comments about indoor gardening tutorials you’d like to see.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Mealybug Destroyers
What are mealybug destroyers?
Mealybug destroyers are beneficial ladybugs with the botanical name Cryptolaemus montrouzieri. They are predatory insects used as biological pest control to help control mealybugs and some scale insects.
Do mealybug destroyers eat mealybugs?
Yes. Mealybug destroyers feed on mealybugs and can consume them at different stages of their life cycle. They can also feed on the larval stages of some scale insects.
Are mealybug destroyers effective on houseplants?
Mealybug destroyers can be effective on houseplants when there is a suitable population of mealybugs for them to feed on. They are also used for biological pest control in greenhouses.
How do you release mealybug destroyers?
Follow the supplier’s release instructions. In this example, the plant foliage was misted before releasing the insects. Some were placed directly on the plants, while the container was left nearby so the remaining insects could leave on their own.
How many mealybug destroyers do I need?
The appropriate number depends on the number of plants, the size of the growing area, and the severity of the pest problem. Mealybug destroyers may be sold in quantities ranging from small groups to several hundred insects.
Do mealybug destroyers need water?
Mealybug destroyers may benefit from access to moisture. Misting plant foliage can provide a source of water, but avoid creating standing water where the insects could become submerged.
What do mealybug destroyers eat besides mealybugs?
Mealybug destroyers primarily target mealybugs, but they can also feed on the larval stages of some scale insects.
How quickly do mealybug destroyers work?
The results can vary depending on the number of beneficial insects, the severity of the infestation, and environmental conditions. In this example, significant improvement was observed more than a week after the insects were released.
Where can I find mealybug destroyers?
Mealybug destroyers can be purchased from suppliers of beneficial insects and biological pest-control organisms. Consider the quantity offered, shipping requirements, and delivery distance when choosing a supplier.
Can mealybug destroyers control scale insects?
Mealybug destroyers can feed on the larval stages of some scale insects. However, their primary target is mealybugs, so their effectiveness against scale depends on the particular scale species and life stage.
Should I mist plants after releasing mealybug destroyers?
Misting can provide moisture for mealybug destroyers, and the supplier’s instructions should always be followed. In this example, misting the foliage appeared to provide the insects with accessible water.
Are mealybug destroyers a form of biological pest control?
Yes. Using beneficial predatory insects such as Cryptolaemus montrouzieri to control pest insects is a form of biological pest control. This approach uses natural predators rather than relying solely on chemical pesticides.
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