Mealybugs are highly destructive to succulents; here is how to control them effectively

The most frustrating thing about growing succulents is pests, especially mealybugs. Early spring and summer are peak periods for mealybug infestations on succulents. After cacti and succulents are attacked by scale insects that pierce and suck their sap, their growth is stunted, and the color of the leaves (stems) turns dull. In the later stage, the growing point of the plant can be taken over by a vast white mass of mealybugs, and sooty mold may even develop. Sometimes this leaves enthusiasts at a loss, with no choice but to discard the plant to prevent the pests from spreading further.

Mealybugs on succulents do not move over a large range; they can only move between different parts of the same plant or between adjacent plants. Yet even though they are such slow-moving creatures, they manage to extend their reach everywhere. It is best to choose a safer method to eliminate the pests. If growers discover a small number of mealybugs on their succulents at an early stage, they can simply pick them off one by one with tweezers or a needle.

For mealybugs, you can dip an oil painting brush in an appropriate amount of 75% alcohol and brush repeatedly over the areas where the mealybugs are concentrated. The principle and advantages of using alcohol to kill mealybugs: 75% alcohol has surface sterilization and disinfection effects; after treatment, its main components evaporate quickly, leaving little residue on the epidermis and making it less likely to form unsightly spots that affect the plant's appearance. The oil painting brush, meanwhile, can flexibly and effectively brush away scale insects hiding in the ridges and valleys, folds, thin bases, undersides of leaves, and overlapping leaf areas of cacti and succulents. Using this method, essentially all visible mealybugs can be cleaned away, keeping the mealybug infestation at a relatively low level.

The reason mealybugs are difficult to eradicate is that they reproduce quickly, secrete wax on their body surface, and carry a shield (their scale covering) with them. To improve the resistance of succulents so they can withstand pests and diseases, it is best to use ecologically safe organic fertilizer. Baofei is specially formulated for succulents, promoting vigorous growth, more leaves, stronger plants, and greater resistance. Usually by the time you notice them, there is already a large group, and they can crawl from one pot to another, so when you find mealybugs, you should first isolate that pot of succulents.

A fellow grower asked me: can sunlight kill mealybugs on succulents? That is a good question. In fact, sunlight cannot kill mealybugs. You can also use 50 milliliters of edible vinegar (rice vinegar): dip a small cotton ball in the vinegar to moisten it, then gently wipe with the wet cotton ball to kill the scale insects. You can also gently wipe the affected plant with alcohol to get rid of the scale insects.

In fact, mealybugs can also be present in the potting soil of succulents. In severe cases, you can remove the entire plant from the soil, wash it, let the roots dry, and replant it, discarding the original soil. In less severe cases, lay a cloth or paper towel on the surface of the pot to prevent the bugs from being washed into the potting soil, set the spray bottle to a columnar stream, and use the force of the water to wash them away. This method cannot actually eradicate them, but it can effectively control their reproduction and reduce the harm to the succulents.

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