Citrophilus mealybug	-	Chemical control for all species combined
	Longtailed mealybug
	Obscure mealybug

The same insecticidal chemicals are used to control all the mealybug pest species on apples. They are difficult to kill because they are covered with hydrophobic wax which repels water-based insecticide applications. High volume application is very important to ensure good spray coverage and reach the mealybugs in cracks and crevices on the bark. Timing of spraying is also critical. There are three approaches to chemical control. Oils have long been used for the control of insects but they have not been found effective on their own against mealybugs. Oils are combined with other insecticides. Since the 1960s, chemical control has been based on the use of organophosphates. These highly toxic products have provided effective control of mealybugs and other pests but they have had the disadvantage of toxicity to many natural enemies. More recently, effective insect growth regulator compounds combine toxicity to mealybugs with safety to many important beneficial species; and another new compound, a neonicotinoid, has also been registered. Green tip spraying to control mealybugs with either organophosphates or an insect growth regulator normally involves a combination with oil.

IFP aims to eliminate the use of organophosphates in apple orchards and replace these with more selective chemicals, such as insect growth regulators and neonicotinoids. All three groups of chemicals are permitted in IFP at present but organophosphate use is strongly discouraged, particularly post-bloom. Where organophosphate or neonicotinoid sprays are required for the control of mealybugs (depending on monitoring), these uses must be integrated with the control of other pests, such as leafrollers and scale insects. Obscure mealybug in New Zealand has developed resistance to insecticides but this problem has not been recorded in any other pest mealybug species.

Organic production - Mealybugs do not usually require special control procedures in an organic orchard, probably because of the action of natural enemies. Fungicide sprays, such as lime sulphur may also be assisting control. Some suppression of mealybugs has been achieved with sprays of neem but a better option for organic growers with a mealybug problem appears to be through post-harvest management.