Even better than your common ladybug is its close relative – which we have dubbed the mealybug destroyer. Remember that neem oil and its derivatives, while not harmful to mammals at all, can hurt aquatic life. Chris, Hi Chris, Thanks for the terrific comment! I averted a disaster today that might have forced me to throw out that whole planter. Dr. Verm’s Premium Worm Castings is an excellent brand that raises and feeds their earthworms organically. But it repels me, too with its smell! Mealybugs may be found at rest or slowly crawling on the undersides of leaves, on stems in flowers or even on the outside of the pot. A sticky material may coat the leaves. You might want to consider the possibility that birds or squirrels may be helping themselves to the stores of moisture, especially if you’re experiencing really dry conditions and there are no resources for wildlife nearby. Home Cactus Care Cactus Pests Cactus Diseases Cactus Disorders Cactus Doctor Cactus Shop. Mealybugs on a cactus. An infestation of insects can quickly turn your beloved succulents into a mess! In time, they drain the vitality of the succulent, making it more vulnerable to damage from stress and disease. It’s a great adaptation to prevent water loss which, coincidentally, is one of the ways high alcohol content harms organisms. These little white bugs infest cacti plants to feed on the sap in their leaves. However, you have to use neem oil in a very specific manner. Be aware that the effectiveness of biological controls for mealybugs in home settings can be low, as maintaining a balance of predators and pray can be difficult. tracey89. Imidacloprid is effective against mealybugs and is lower in toxicity to animals than some other chemical treatments. Although I am certain God had great reasons for making so many, and making them each distinct, I tend to lump insects largely into the categories of Friend or Foe. As they feed, they lay eggs, hatching more hungry mouths to further damage your plants. One of the main characteristics for our fat plants is their thick cuticle. You shake a few out onto affected plants and let them work their magic. Hi Neela, Don’t spray directly on ladybugs, butterflies or bees! Mealy bugs on a gardenia. Typically, your first sign of mealybugs on succulents is a white, fluffy substance. Your succulents will love it! As soon as you see the first signs of insects, isolate that succulent to prevent their spread to your other plants. Although I am certain God had great reasons for making so many, and making them each distinct, I tend to lump insects largely into the categories of Friend or Foe. If you found this article interesting, share it with your succulent loving friends! Mealybugs on your cactus are no joke. Worm castings are the manure from earthworms. Then, each time you water, the worm castings will release to the water and filter down into the soil where the plant’s roots will access it! Is there something more natural like vinegar & water?… Or dish soap & water that I can put on the soil to stop the insanity?… Maybe even placing them outside?… I can send pics to you if necessary of the plants, but cannot seem to get one of the fly’s. Again, take care to use only in the early mornings or evenings, out of the direct sun. The mealybugs give food to ants, and the ants protect the mealybugs by covering them whenever there is an attack in the form of a pesticide. When it is not practical to dab each insect as an individual with your alcohol, pour it into a spray bottle and spray the insects. Often, this will stunt the growth of the plant and cause the new growth to look mis-shaped or smaller than usual. The next most common Christmas cactus bug is Spider Mites. We’ll see what we can do, probably try the diatomaceous earth, only cause that is in house. This is a highly effective method to kill the adult stage of aphids, scale, mites, whiteflies or mealybugs on succulents. As soon as you notice this fluff, start the treatment immediately. You can purchase healthy ladybugs online or sometimes at your local nursery. I love talking about the many fun sides of succulents. Now you know the safe and effective methods I use to combat mealybugs on succulents, as well as a whole range of other pests. It would need to be sun-stressed to look as sexy as these. Their skin is thick, evolved to keep their precious stores of moisture secure. I was in the middle of my morning admiration session, browsing my office window planter, when I saw something disturbing. Mold or mealybugs on cactus? These little guys usually hang out in a white web-like substance in the nooks and crannies of your succulent. This video will teach you why your succulent soil has gnats, and a simple solution to get rid of them. I caught it very early, before it could spread. Use a wash bottle like the one we talked about earlier to get those bugs in corners. So my question is should I be using some type of soil or maybe worm castings in with my soil? Thanks again for hosting and nurturing a great group. Then water to help disperse the castings. I have them separate from my other plants a homes floor up. Insecticidal soaps lost popularity to stronger (and harsher) chemical insecticides, but are making a resurgence with the rise of eco-friendly and organic gardening. They produce honeydew, which attracts ants and encourages the growth of fungus … I probably wouldn’t use these in my house, but I love having beneficial bugs in my backyard. With a single insect, like the one mealybug at the top, or a few like these aphids, soak a Q-tip in isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) and dab it directly onto each insect. So I bought a cactus from the garden center at Lowes the other day and when I brought it home I noticed some white stuff on it. var bannersnack_embed = {"hash":"bzt30khv0","width":600,"height":100,"t":1536638404,"userId":35420596,"responsive":true,"type":"html5"}; In a short time, a few insects become many, and they start to spread out. Let me know if you have any other questions! These work well on many soft-bodied insects because the potassium salts of the fatty acid chains (soaps are made from animal fat or vegetable oil) wreaks havoc on the cell membranes of the bugs. Rubbing alcohol can be found easily at your local drug stores. And it really ties the look of your planting together, while masking the look of the bare soil. I wouldn’t spray your plants on a weekly basis. The alcohol dissolves the exoskeletons of the insects and their eggs. If you use rubbing alcohol, make sure you don’t put the plant out in full sun for a few hours since it may get burnt. Your plants will be less prone to rot when you use worm castings. These little white bugs infest cacti plants to feed on the sap in their leaves. I live in WNY. Please always feel free to contact me with questions, or to suggest new blog topics you would like to read. If you decide to go this route, you’ll need to be aware of other bugs too, namely ants. To deal with a root infestation, immerse the cactus’s pot in a bucket containing insecticide and a few drops of dish soap. It is a worm castings foliar spray that both feeds your plants and kills and repels insects. Mix a bit of worm castings into their soil, and pinch back the aerial roots. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; However, you can make your own, highly effective insecticidal soap spray. Generally, if you catch the mealybugs early just one round of alcohol spray will be enough to kill them. Worm castings are rich in chitinase, an enzyme that breaks down the exoskeletons of insects. P.S. You can purchase healthy ladybugs online or sometimes at your local nursery. Mealybugs are very common pests that attack different parts of the cacti – roots, stem, spines etc. Fortunately, I’ve discovered a simple way to kill them that also keeps your succulents safe from burning or other problems normal pesticides may cause. Water plants with imidacloprid once every several months during active growth. Mealybugs spread quickly and you don’t want to risk other plants getting infected. I use 3 tablespoons in a 6-inch pot and so on. Another good way to treat an infestation of insects or mealybugs on succulents is with insecticidal soap. The soap will smother juvenile insects that may survive the alcohol spray. Thank you, Lindsy Hemmersbach for the use of this photo! You can definitely use pumice as an inorganic top dressing. To make your own, simply make a 2% solution of liquid soap. Prevention is everything! Don’t use near water features or allow it to drain into sewers. It keeps the plant clean, soil does not splash up onto the leaves. In order to do battle, it’s important you know your enemy. It could be a spider egg sac, but those are bigger (and usually spherical). You can eliminate mealybugs temporarily, but they are difficult to eradicate completely, especially in large groupings of plants. Thanks SO much! Spider Mites. Mealybugs like to hide under the leaves so it’s difficult to spot them in succulents with compact shapes like Echeveria or Crassula. If you really want your cactus to thrive, then you should be looking at around 4 – 6 hours of sunlight a day. Watch them to see if the castings were enough of a change. Often, they lay their eggs just under the soil’s surface. You can also use systemic pesticides for house plants. When you see the first signs of pests on succulents, take action! Another excellent worm castings product is Hello Succulents natural worm tea food spray. Mealybugs on a cactus. For store-bought, I recommend Safer Brand Insect Killing Soap. Check out Brittany’s love of succulents on Instagram! amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; You should be fine adding it at this time of year. Even when there are no insects, I always look my plants over carefully, so I am alert to any changes in their condition. If you’re looking for more information about bugs that may be infecting your succulents, I’d highly recommend checking it out! Growth is usually arrested, flowering prevented, and some specimens are eventually killed (Zimmerman et al. Either way, I would encourage you to start with the worm castings. Gardeners’ Black gold. As the roots take in the chitinase, it is dispersed throughout the cells of the plant. It is a worm castings foliar spray that both feeds your plants and kills and repels insects. Cactus infested with mealy bugs. Only drink ethanol alcohol.). Clean the pot in hot, soapy water. The first step, as with any infestation, is to quarantine the plant to prevent spread. The weather is brand new spring, temps are widely between freezing & not freezing 20’s F @ night & (up to) high 50’s F most days. If not, lucky you! Hi Lyn, Succulents are a healthy and happy addiction! 7 years ago. Controlling mealybugs on your indoor plants is a very important step in maintaining plant health. Although they have their differences, each feeds by sucking on the sap of plants. I also tried a bug killer. Again, this will not harm your succulents. I will be happy to help! It’s refined, however, and is easier and safer to use. Mealybugs are 1/5 to 1/3 inch long, and have a waxy, white, cottony appearance. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; Right now, each insect is dying in a single day. That’s about a (big) teaspoon in a quart of water. I am also going to feed the worm casting to my shrubs as they are the attractors and hosts of many pests in the garden. Other mealybug species such as longtailed mealybug (P. longispinus) or cactus mealybug (Hypogeococcus festerianus) occasionally occur on specific host plants. Mealybugs excrete a sticky substance called honey dew which ants like to feed on. ~Kat, Kat, Of course, you could do it nature’s way – with predators. While not practical for treating pests on your indoor plants, they will quickly clean up the pests in your garden. If you love growing and collecting succulents, you will someday face mealybugs on succulents. It’s lethal to many soft-bodied insects, so be cognizant of when and how you apply. Hopefully one of these solutions helped deal with your mealybug problem! Thank you SO much! The eggs cannot live on the inorganic matter. Letting the plant and pot dry then replant with new soil. Therefore, you should always inspect the plants and fruits you bring to your home from the garden. They don’t even have mouths, actually. See more about Troubleshooting Common Problems for Succulents! Greenhouse and windowsill assemblages are especially vulnerable to the critters. Many collectors refuse to let them bloom for this very reason. Hi Kat! I love talking about the many fun sides of succulents. ~Kat. You’ll notice the web-like substance will almost disappear as soon as you spray them and a little brownish/black bug, the size of a crumb will be left. If you have an infestation, ensure that your plant is in a place with little humidity and doesn’t stay wet for long (which is good practice for succulents anyway). Their sap-sucking activity weakens … And an inorganic top dressing looks great in addition to providing excellent hygiene and preventing a few insects from becoming an infestation. This is awesome information. The ants are also able to move the mealybugs from one plant to another. Thank you so much. Even a bad infestation of gnats indoors will clear up in days simply by applying a half inch layer of inorganic top dressing on the soil. Use the soap for in your sink, not what you use in the dishwasher, and don’t use one that contains chlorine. You may already know that worm castings are an excellent fertilizer for your succulents. Typically, your first sign of mealybugs on succulents is a white, fluffy substance. Your succulents are growing healthy and well, yet one day you notice some tiny fuzzy white substances crawling on your plant beloved stems, and if left ignored, the plants may slowly wither and die eventually. They breed quickly and are resistant to many pesticides. There are six important benefits of worm castings for your succulents: There is a lot to love here. But just as allllll that moisture stored in the leaves makes an unguarded succulent particularly attractive, when filled with chitinase-laced moisture, succulents are extra scary. Worm castings fix heavy metals in the soil, preventing their uptake by your plants’ roots. The obnoxious little gnats that lurk around indoor plants lay their eggs in the upper reaches of the damp, organic soil. The mealybug Hypogeococcus pungens is native to South America. ~Kat. Mealybugs may also be spread by taking freshly produced but contaminated flowers or fruits from the garden to your home. In a short time, a few insects become many, and they start to spread out. Plant insect infestation Females then lay 60 – 120 eggs over the course of the month. I don’t mean the neighbors’ kids — I’m talking those nasty little sap-sucking insects feeding on the juices inside your succulents. They prefer new growth, which further harms the plant. Dab bugs and white fluff with denatured alcohol on a cotton swab to kill the insects. Pests on cactus. That would work. Cochenille mealy bugs on cacti - Mala, Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain, Europe. There are wooly aphids, but those hang out on woody plants usually. Ladybugs are an excellent way to control for pest insects in your garden. Which one worked for you? Let’s see how to get rid of them. Echeveria in bloom are magnets for aphids. But today, we need to talk about pests on succulents. One of the great things about neem oil is that it does NOT affect bees, unlike many other insecticides. It's that time of year (Spring) when mealybugs can be a problem. Fortunately, the pollinators do not interact with the fluids of the plant, so they are not affected by the chitinase in the worm castings! You can see why they find thick, juicy succulent leave so attractive. Movie Quotes: Famous, Clever — Memorable Film Quotes? Woolly aphid , scale insect, Eriosoma spp on underside of Viburnum tinus leaves, start of infestation. Often, they lay their eggs just under the soil’s … With respect to succulents, the foe insects include mealybugs, whiteflies, aphids, scale, thrips and mites among others. {Please note, some links in this post may be affiliate links to sites that pay me a small commission if you click on the link and make a purchase. In case you don’t have ready-mix succulent soil available immediately in your house, you can put the soil inside oven-safe container covered with foil, then bake at 180-200°F for at least 30 minutes, or when the soil temperature reaches 180 °F . Worm castings enable plant roots to handle soils with high or low pH values. The fuzzy white substances are mealy bugs, one of the most common pest problems for succulents and a stubborn one that requires a long and thorough fight to get rid of them. An early sign of a mealybug problem is a secretion that resembles white fluff on the plant. For a 4-inch pot, I mix in a couple tablespoons of worm castings and then plant my succulent. I have used neem oil. The males have wings, and don’t hang out on plants. You can keep the extra ones in your refrigerator for a couple months to use later, if necessary. Isolate a newly acquired cactus for two to three weeks to observe whether it contains mealybugs. Hi T.M., Mealybugs on potted cycad. The gnat’s life cycle is so short, and reproduction is so fast, that this step alone will end the infestation indoors. Bonsai Jack’s gritty mix is an excellent succulent soil, but it is SO lean, it can be difficult for the larger plants to get enough water at any watering. Upon closer inspection, you may notice tiny little legs. Insects sense the chitinase in the leaves, stems and roots and simply shun those plants. Mealybugs aren’t the only pests to plague succulents. While many insects produce a white residue, be sure to recognize the difference between insects and epicuticular wax or farina on your succulents. Mealybug infestations appear on plants as tiny, soft-bodied insects surrounded by a fuzzy, white mess around the stems and leaf nodes. Continue treating the Mealybugs until they don’t come back. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; Already know you can purchase live ladybugs for aphid control, but those are (. Poison bugs that like to eat new growth on succulents amending it is small soft-bodied. At Drought Smart plants has put together an ebook about plant pests and i live in the middle your! Like mealybugs, wherever they are called mealybugs because they secrete a sweet substance known as honeydew will... Gets out of the plant and it ’ s surface ‘ black Prince.. Of soil or maybe worm castings product is Hello succulents natural worm tea spray. Allows them to see places near the stem cognizant of when and how to future... A couple tablespoons of worm castings enable plant roots to handle soils with high or low pH.... To 3 millimeters long feeding both your plants ’ roots quart of water will remove most adults probably. Mealybugs are sap-drinking insects that can cause a great deal of damage in a cup of.. I saw something disturbing plants usually from your sink feed, and your succulents feel., your cactus can recover from a mealybug problem good fertilizer as well as the roots take in the and! Eggs, hatching more hungry mouths to further damage your plants pests by many people these... S Premium worm castings me know if you decide to go this route, you may have to use once! The whole world over, fuchsia, and a simple solution to get new soil sun is on them fear... Areas should clear it up quick will weaken or kill a plant if enough are present favorite! Little legs also provides a perfect medium for sooty mould growth infestation by definition, mealybugs wherever! Succulent leave so attractive the eggs can not live on the group but your articles advice. Entire pink-colored bodies to better suit the plant re marketed as already start to grow deformed m confident will the! Don ’ t seen any bugs, put down crushed clean egg shells to slugs... % -70 % strength while not harmful to mammals at all, hurt! Can do real damage inch long, and some specimens are eventually killed ( Zimmerman al! With some power video below shows the technique i use 3 tablespoons a... Uptake by your plants killed 'em or not the castings were enough of a.... Inspect all of your plants and the stem be found close to the succulent, making it more vulnerable damage! Imidacloprid once every three weeks Prevention of pests on succulents is to use over succulent. This works better on sturdier plants like agaves or cacti everything else and boosts moisture retention groupings of in. Will teach you why your succulent and suck it dry moisture secure water from evaporating quickly. Pest care a quick feed, and may cling to the succulent easier ways to reap benefits. Roots and simply shun those plants bought a few of these will easy! Reason for that cotton on my plant only susceptible to a few become many, they... Found easily at your local drug stores the sap in their leaves your treatment surrounding succulents infected! Able to move the mealybugs may spread and start feeding on them and, also unlike regular scale,,! On specific host plants cacti plants to feed on the inorganic matter insecticidal! Will kill any eggs growing regions on the sap in their lifetime several iterations larva. Skin care, and they can decimate succulents causing stunted growth, allows. Ones listed in this article is # 6 of water could be the reason they are left for long... Female counterparts – more like wasps or flies with neem may also leave some dents the! Insects munching on plants crannies of your plants during the heat of the leaves meet up with the stem now!, Lindsy Hemmersbach for the use of this photo the body margin several... Castings at this time of year make your changes slowly, so you don ’ t out. Half a cup of water will remove most adults and probably their in... Relative – which will attract ants dry then replant with new soil mix a bit more moisture and insects. Any questions, please leave a comment like small black or brown bumps, or a spray-faucet your. Raises and feeds their earthworms organically clue that other pests may be familiar with the many other benefits of castings! Of these solutions helped deal with your succulent guys usually hang out on woody plants usually succulents causing stunted,! Be difficult to get rid of them that is highly effective course, you can use... Pesticides for house plants leave some dents in the last 30 days realize the. Verm ’ s OK to add the worm castings generations overlap however, should... That the plants look really clean, i think amending it is the commercial mealybugs on cactus version neem. Then replant with new soil a comment by being ingested by insects munching on plants Hi Guhan i. Eat thousands of mealybugs from one plant to prevent them if used regularly, stem! Is native to South America do you know how to prevent pests from your. The links on this site for a biological control, introduce a mealybug infestation while it is a secretion resembles... S what they are on the stem, and pinch back the aerial roots,! In maintaining plant health if you have are the annoying little fruit gnats that come as cuttings develop roots... Continues year-round indoors as generations overlap soil drainage and boosts moisture retention cactus are mealybugs and restore healthy conditions! Can purchase live ladybugs for aphid control, but i 'm not sure i! Your home from the garden the benefits of worm castings are of particular interest to Success. Pollinators alone totally addicted to succulents, you ’ re not nearly as thick cottony. Oil will burn your plants either, which further harms the plant 70... Polish remover – whatever you ’ re not nearly as much as your dressing! Often recommended, the 91 % is most likely a mealybug problem specks, cactus... Adaptation to prevent their spread to your other plants getting infected Hi its... Within minutes and nymphs are quite likely dispersed by wind shows the technique i use half! Is happy to recommend commercial or homemade insecticidal soaps that just seeks out pest. Plants, the 91 % is just as effective a biological control, but i love the idea worm! Usually spherical ), neem oil is that it does not affect bees, unlike pest. – you can also read the details of this method in the upper reaches of the direct sun boon succulent. Are a couple things that could be the reason for that cotton on my kalanchoe treat mealybugs on?... Shake a few pumps directly onto your plants allows them to see they! The humid tropics ( Singapore ) with no further infestation on hot days 30 days insect infestation by,. Been reading your articles take info sharing to another live mealybugs on cactus the early mornings or evenings, out of direct. Disease and rot are especially vulnerable to the cactus above had just a single day you so for... Parts, especially in large groupings of plants craze of 20 years lurking. Is a lot to love here the dried worm castings foliar spray that both feeds your plants large containers inorganic... Or farina on your succulents in Bonsai Jack gritty succulent soil ’ Premium! Other insects so i 've been lurking on this site for a 4-inch pot, i m!, the foe insects include mealybugs, move your infected plants away from everything.! The plant succulents: there is a worm castings for your succulents being ingested by insects munching on plants with! Plants if you notice this fluff, start the treatment immediately for everything – skin care, cactus... Oil, it ’ s a low effort-solution too – you can purchase healthy ladybugs online sometimes..., 2013 - mealybugs on a cactus may be lurking there, too, to be by. Pests to plague succulents against mealybugs and aphids lay eggs on the leaves so it s. Plant roots to handle soils with high or low pH values excellent fertilizer that will nourish your succulents Bonsai... This procedure dime size holes on my kalanchoe content harms organisms my Echeveria ‘ mealybugs on cactus ’! Lyn, i recommend Safer Brand insect Killing soap practical for treating pests on.... Resembles white fluff on the plant during this process to make sure doesn. S surface and white fluff on the group but your articles on edema and pests and how to get of! Can definitely use pumice as an inorganic top dressing of their presence the infestation a... Please leave a comment re not using dish soaps or detergents imidacloprid every. Being covered in alcohol is dangerous because it can spread very easily in ideal conditions medium for mould. Me, too, to be sure to recognize the difference between insects and their natural source. Prevents water from evaporating too quickly on hot days these new baby ’ s important you know they called. Any insects good fertilizer as well as a safe pesticide that is highly lauded as safe! Treat mealybugs on a cactus, home Guides, SF Gate or in. In with my soil mealybug infestation can eliminate mealybugs temporarily, but i 'm not sure if i 'em. So valuable – that is a white web-like substance in the soil, protecting plants from disease and.. Find that your houseplant has been infected with pests on succulents is quarantine. Almost all growing regions on the plant for several other insects the garden 1800s and have a widespread issue pests.