Replace with fresh soil. These little white bugs infest cacti plants to feed on the sap in their leaves. Here’s an interesting fact; cochineal insects are used in food production (yes, really) because this juice makes a very effective edible colourant. Mealybugs – Mealybugs are an annoying pest, common on indoor plants. If an infestation gets addressed quickly, the damage should be minimal. As they reproduce quickly, you need to quarantine your plant. I suspect they were sitting in the wrong soil medium. Thrips are usually either green or grey-black in color. The symptoms of nematode infection is the slow growing cactus and changes in the stem color. Q: I just read your prickly pear cactus (Opuntia ficus-nitida) article and wanted to report that I have six such cactus in my front yard. However, with a little vigilance and care, it’s possible to stop infestations as soon as you spot them. Mealy bugs often accumulate to feed on the tender tissues at or near the growing point. With a dry rot, the stem becomes dry from the inside, and it is usually hard to notice early. I heard that vulnerable plants are attacked by pests so I wonder if these two aeoniums were a specific target for some reason. Both underwatering and overwatering cacti is a big problem and can kill plants. They hate higher humidity and fresh air, so make sure to have fresh air in the room. Check all the plants with a magnifying glass and transfer affected ones to a different room. Be as thorough as possible and check all of the places mentioned. For example, Phytophtora cactorum fungus causes a rot to the roots and the plant stem. To prevent cactus rot, make sure to follow the tips mentioned above (mainly watering and winter care). Many new hobbyists make these mistakes, and end up kill the cacti. Cochineal scale (Dactylopious spp.) If a big piece of your cactus is gone, or you can see multiple small holes overnight, this is most probably an animal attack. If a plant is unaccountably sick and not growing, take it out of its pot and examine the roots. Commonly, mealybugs are brought into a home on freshly grown fruits or vegetables, cuttings from outdoor plants and contaminated potting soil. Larvae feed on organic matter in the soil as well as roots of the cacti. A very important rule is not to water your cactus before and after repotting for up to a week! Aphids are usually seen with ants. An early sign of a mealybug problem is a secretion that resembles white fluff on the plant. As nematodes are not insects, no insecticides or pesticides will help to get rid of nematodes. They are ⅛ to ¼ inch long and move very slowly. Look under leaves, around the leaf joints and at the base of the succulent. Repeat this treatment as often as it is necessary to remove all bugs from the plant, checking it thoroughly once every three weeks. 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. Your first line of defense is to blast what appears to be bits of cotton with a hose to dislodge them. Scale insects infect cacti and start sucking out the juices. Mature red spider mites can be yellow-greenish in color, but also red (especially those that are brumating). Rotting can be a slow process if it’s a dry rot, and will be much faster with soft rot. Your can also try to remove scale bugs physically by using tweezers or cotton buds soaked in rubbing alcohol like this. Again, remember to wash your hands afterwards. The Cochineal Bug (Dactylopius confusus) is a small beetle that lives on cactus. They are tiny, elliptical insects about 2-3 millimeters long, gray or light brown in color. In most cases, you can treat a bug infestation with some simple steps. Shield your cactus from direct sun and prepare it for summer. Some mice and birds might attack and eat your cactus. These fungus gnats are small black flies. If you notice that your cactus becomes weak and brown, take it to the shade immediately, spray it with water and cover with a small bag. Is Mine a Cactus? Wrap it tightly in plastic and throw it out so the mealybugs won’t pass to your other houseplants. Mealybugs on a cactus will have a white residue or spot look that can also look ‘fluffy’. Fungus gnats are 1/8 to 1/16-inch long black flies that resemble mosquitoes. Mealybugs will reproduce quickly, mealybugs are sneaky pests because they hide the... Cause extensive damage to your cacti in spring and summer important rule is not to water your cactus cactus white... Grain of rice ) and can live and multiply in the evening ( during its period. Ants seem to progress quite quickly get better colored, and can to... 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