Mealy Bug?

I have a young orange Acer in the garden and tonight noticed it's stem is covered with brown, oval things sitting on top of a white cotton wool like substance.

Any ideas how to treat this as I don't want to lose this plant or let it spread further.

 

Yes that does seem to be mealy bugs. Photo and information here: http://www.greengardener.co.uk/mealy.htm
RHS also suggests ladybirds or spraying with horticultural soap (I reckon dilute Fairy Liquid is just as good)

 

You can try dabbing them with a cotton wool bud dipped in meths. They just kind of disolve. Since they don't move too fast doing it once a week or so for a few weeks should sort the problem out without recourse to heavy chemicals.

Don't know if the Government has banned meths yet!

 

Thanks for your answers. Tried the meths and it worked a treat, will repeat as nesessary.