Mealybugs are disgusting little insects that like munching on succulent plants’ fresh growth. It’s difficult to pinpoint the specific reason why they appear, however overwatering and overfertilizing are frequently to blame. Due to the more mild temperatures, they frequently appear on indoor plants, although they can also be seen on outdoor succulents.
In the crevices of your succulent, these tiny creatures normally hang out in a white substance that resembles a web. Right where the leaves meet the stem is where they like to hide. They are consequently difficult to see and to kill.
Mealybugs can swiftly spread throughout a succulent and to other succulents nearby if they aren’t treated very once. They move so swiftly, which is both impressive and annoying. They consume the succulent as they move. This frequently stunts the plant’s growth, making the new growth oddly shaped or smaller than typical. If they remain too long, they could also leave some dents in the leaves.
Rub alcohol: Does it harm succulents?
Neem oil, insecticidal soaps, rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle, or cleaning the infected regions with water can all be used to control them. The bugs are promptly killed by a fine, light spray of rubbing alcohol that doesn’t harm succulent foliage.
Mealy Bugs
These are among the most prevalent pests of cactus and succulents. They are small, elliptical insects that are gray or light brown in appearance and around 2-3 millimeters long. They create a waxy or mealy white substance that gives them their name. The white cottony stuff you notice on your plants is a warning indication that mealybugs are present.
Most likely, you’ll see this white fluffy stuff before you see any bugs. These insects produce honeydew or another sugary secretion that can encourage the formation of mold and increase the likelihood of bacterial and fungal diseases. They are typically visible on the leaves’ undersides and between the plant’s joints. They are quickly disseminated from one plant to another.
Solution: Apply rubbing alcohol-dipped cotton swabs or Q-tips directly to the insects and wherever you observe the fluffy, white stuff. This procedure will kill the bugs without harming your plant.
You can also use a spray bottle and apply rubbing alcohol directly on the bugs and white fluff instead of dabbing it on them. Some folks prefer to mix water and alcohol that is roughly half strength.
You can also use soap, such as dish soap diluted in water, as an alternative to alcohol. Try adding a few drops of soap to two cups of water, then shaking to thoroughly combine. Spray directly where you detect mealybugs and white fluff where it is impacted.
Unfortunately, mealy bugs are difficult to eradicate, and it could take several treatments to do so. If necessary, carry out the procedure once weekly until the issue is resolved. Mealy bugs can spread from plant to plant, so isolate the diseased plant to protect your other plants.
The roots may also be home to tiny insects. You must cure the plant and detach it from the pot in order to eradicate them from the roots. Wash the bugs from the roots and remove the soil.
Use soapy water or rubbing alcohol to mist the plant. Some people prefer to mix water and alcohol at a strength that is around half. Repot the plant in new, well-draining potting soil made for cacti and succulents after letting it dry out for a few days.
Scale
Scales come in over a thousand different species with a wide range of colors, sizes, and forms. The armored scale and the soft scale insects are the two types of scales that frequently attack succulent plants. You can have a scale issue if your succulent develops tiny, brown lumps. Succulents’ sap is a favorite food item for these insects, which harms the plants and increases their susceptibility to disease.
Solution: Hand-pick or hose-off any visible insects from your plant that you see. Any visible insects on your plants should be scraped off or sprayed away. You can physically remove them from your plant if the scale issue is not too severe. Scales can be handled in a manner similar to mealybugs. Apply rubbing alcohol-dipped cotton swabs or Q-tips straight to the insects.
As an alternative, you can spray rubbing alcohol straight into the bugs in place of dabbing them with alcohol. Some folks prefer to mix water and alcohol that is roughly half strength.
Scales can sometimes be successfully treated with neem oil. Neem oil might not be sufficient if the infestation is severe. Neem oil should be diluted in 8 cups of water by adding 1 spoonful (15 ml). Infested areas as well as the undersides of the leaves should be sprayed with the remedy. Neem oil should only be used at night to avoid burning your plant from solar damage.
Unfortunately, these bugs are difficult to get rid of, and it could require several treatments. If necessary, carry out the procedure once weekly until the issue is resolved. To prevent contaminating your other plants, isolate the sick plant.
In order to treat the plant, you must take it out of the container if the scale infestation is severe. Wash the bugs from the roots and remove the soil. Use soapy water or rubbing alcohol to mist the plant. Some people prefer to mix water and alcohol at a strength that is around half.
Repot the plant in new, well-draining potting soil made for cacti and succulents after letting it dry out for a few days. Keep the diseased plant separate from your other plants while treating it to stop the infestation from spreading to others.
Aphids (Greenflies or Plant Lice)
These are little, fatty, teardrop-shaped insects. They are available in many hues, with green being the most prevalent. They can be seen sucking on leaves or flowers at the ends of stems and are frequently numerous.
As they feed, they also exhale a lot of honeydew, a sugary white material. This sweet material may promote the development of black sooty mold. Aphids feed on the plant’s tissues, resulting in misshaped leaves and limited growth of the plant.
Solution: Spraying the plant with water pressure and aphids may be able to be physically removed from the plant by doing this. The plant can also be treated with a solution of soapy water. Mix thoroughly after adding a few drops of soap to the water. Spray the undersides of the leaves and the infected areas.
The soapy water might also have vegetable oil added to it. Mix well 1 to 2 cups of water and 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil with a few drops of soap, such as dish soap. If you detect bugs, spray the infestation there.
Some people have found success using neem oil to treat aphids. Neem oil should be diluted in 8 cups of water by adding 1 spoonful (15 ml). Infested areas as well as the undersides of the leaves should be sprayed with the remedy. Neem oil should only be used at night to avoid burning your plant from solar damage.
Once a week, repeat the therapy as necessary until the issue is solved.
Spider Mites
Because they are so little, spider mites frequently go unnoticed for a very long time. Red is the most popular hue. Spider mites adore sucking on the succulents’ delicious sap.
As the mites wreak havoc on the plant, an infected plant initially loses color and might eventually turn nearly white or silvery. Pay great attention to nearby plants to spot infestations as soon as possible. Typically, spider webbing and little brown spots on your plant are the first indicators of spider mites.
Treatment: You can treat spider mites in the same manner as mealybugs. Apply rubbing alcohol-dipped cotton swabs or Q-tips immediately to the insects and wherever you observe the white, cottony substance. This procedure will kill the bugs without harming your plant.
You can also use soap, such as dish soap diluted in water, as an alternative to alcohol. Consider adding a couple of drops of soap to a cup of water and shaking to combine. Directly apply spray to the afflicted areas.
To solve the issue, several treatments will be necessary. Once a week or as necessary, repeat the procedure until the issue is resolved. To prevent contaminating your other plants, isolate the sick plant.
You may wish to repot your entire plant if you think the infection is worse. Take the plant out of the pot, remove the soil, and wash the bugs away. Use soapy water or rubbing alcohol to mist the plant. Some people prefer to mix water and alcohol at a strength that is around half. Repot the plant in new, well-draining potting soil made for cacti and succulents after letting it dry out for a few days.
Whiteflies
These are frequently found with succulent leafy plants. They are tiny, white, flying insects that can be challenging to manage and have a high rate of reproduction. When an infected plant is shook, whiteflies can be seen flying from the bottom of the leaves. These insects, like aphids, create honeydew all over your plant, which encourages the development of sooty mold.
Solution: Use water to spray the flies off in order to get rid of some of them. Spray some water and rubbing alcohol that has been diluted to half strength on the plant. You can also use soap, such as dish soap diluted in water, as an alternative to alcohol.
Consider adding a couple of drops of soap to a cup of water and shaking to combine. Directly apply spray to the afflicted areas. If necessary, repeat the procedure.
Fungus Gnats
Perhaps one of the most frequent pests of indoor plants is the fungus gnat. Despite not being as damaging to your plants as other pests, fungus gnats can still be difficult to manage and get rid of. They have a buglike appearance. The gnats will be drawn to the soil and begin breeding if you overwater your succulents or if it is always damp.
Solution: Moisture attracts fungus gnats. Make careful to water your succulents in moderation and to let the soil dry out in between waterings. Cacti and succulents require soil that drains well. If your plants are growing in the incorrect medium, repot them in a well-draining potting mix made for cacti and succulents to avoid soggy soil.
Sprinkle cinnamon powder over your potting soil for a natural cure. Due to its inherent anti-fungal characteristics, cinnamon may be able to aid. You may also make use of one of those sticky yellow insect pads. The fungus gnats adhere to these pads, which could aid in reducing the issue while you address the root of the infestation.
Ants
Since ants are present all over the natural world, shouldn’t they be safe around succulents? A single or two ants here and there are acceptable, but if you notice an army of ants on your plant, it’s likely that you also have scales, aphids, or mealybugs. Because these insects secrete honeydew or other sweet substances that ants adore, ants raise these insects as food.
Spray the plant with insecticidal soap or soapy water as a cure. About once every week, repeat as necessary. To deter ants from your plant, you can also place ant baits close by. Check the plant for any other insects that might be luring ants there and deal with them as necessary. Soapy water should frequently solve the issue.
You might wish to repot your entire plant if the infestation is severe. Take the plant out of the pot, remove the soil, and wash the bugs away. Use soapy water or rubbing alcohol to mist the plant.
Some people prefer to mix water and alcohol at a strength that is around half. Repot the plant in new, well-draining potting soil made for cacti and succulents after letting it dry out for a few days.
How do I get rid of gnats in my succulent plants?
Gnats frequently start to appear in and around your succulents, both indoors and outdoors, when the weather is warm.
The good news is that they won’t harm your succulents and that most of the time it’s not too difficult to get rid of them.
We may receive a commission when you buy something after clicking on one of our links, at no additional cost to you. This enables us to offer you free content.
If your succulents aren’t in well-draining soil or don’t dry out between waterings, your pots could be a very alluring breeding place for these pests because fungus gnats LOVE damp soil.
This issue can be avoided by letting the soil entirely dry out in between waterings. Since the larvae are already present, this will also aid in their elimination. Without water, your succulents will survive for a few days or even weeks.
An apple cider vinegar trap will work to eliminate the flying gnats. Just add some apple cider vinegar to a plastic cup, maybe a couple tablespoons. Put a few drops of dish soap in. Put a plastic bag over the cup, but pierce it with a finger-sized hole.
The gnats can fly in because of this, but they find it challenging to flee. The dish soap either traps them or weighs them down while the vinegar’s sweet aroma draws them in.
Additionally, you can cover your soil with food-grade diatomaceous earth (DE), which will kill any adults or larvae that come into touch with it.
The simplest technique to get rid of gnats is to keep your soil dry, which also benefits succulent plants. So make sure the soil you use has good drainage.