How to Get Rid of Pests on Succulents? Practical Methods Explained

Succulents are currently one of the more popular plants on the flower market. When growing succulents, people often run into all kinds of pests that give them a headache. How to get rid of pests on succulents? We have put together pest control methods for succulents for everyone, so let's take a look!

Method 1: Use tweezers

Mealybugs are the most common pest. They cling to the leaves of succulents and survive by sucking the sap from the leaves. Fortunately, they can be seen with the naked eye. They are white, and if you find them you can simply pinch them one by one with tweezers, then spray with a pesticide to achieve complete removal.

Method 2: Use alcohol

Alcohol can evaporate the water inside the insects' bodies, destroying the pests' bodies and causing them to die. But note that for alcohol to achieve a pest-killing effect, its concentration is very important; too low or too high will not work. The best concentration is about 75% to achieve the pest-killing effect.

Method 3: Replace the top layer of soil

If you find very small white eggs on a succulent, it is best to replace the top 3 cm of its soil with new soil. This removes most of the pests and also reduces pest growth. Note that after replacing the new soil, sprinkle a layer of white lime on its surface, which can completely eliminate the reproduction and survival of pests.

Method 4: Soak the pot

Put the whole pot of succulent into water, with the water level at most covering the flower pot, and leave it for 10 minutes. 10 minutes is enough to kill the pests, but these 10 minutes do no real harm to the succulent. However, note that the succulent taken out of the water must be placed in a well-ventilated spot.

Method 5: Use pesticides

Dig out or cut off the areas eroded by pests, then use an insecticide. But note that succulents sprayed with insecticide should be placed in the sun for a few days. When spraying the pesticide, try to avoid spraying it onto other items, to save yourself trouble later.

Compared with pest control for other plants, getting rid of pests on succulents is relatively much easier. And the reason succulents get pests in a home growing environment is usually unclean potting soil, so when growing succulents, pay attention to cleaning the potting soil to reduce the occurrence of succulent pests.