Cottony Cushion Scale on Indoor Lemon: Identification and Control

Tiny yellowish worms and popcorn-like white masses on an indoor lemon are cottony cushion scale—a sap-sucking insect. The “worms” are crawlers; the “popcorn” is the adult female’s egg sac.

Control Steps

1. Scrub off adults with toothbrush and soapy water (wear gloves—honeydew is sticky).
2. Dab crawlers with 70% isopropyl alcohol on cotton swab.
3. Check UC IPM guide for chemical options: ipm.ucdavis.edu

Spread Risk

Crawlers move to touching plants or hitchhike on hands/clothing. Isolate infested plants.

Note

Vedalia beetles control this scale outdoors in California, but indoors you must intervene manually or chemically.