The thorny coat of cacti is no obstacle to infamous mealybugs feasting on the plant sap. The dry wintering conditions in particular cause pests to come into play. You can find out how to recognize an infestation and combat it using natural means here.
How to fight mealybugs on cacti?
To combat mealybugs on cacti, you can use a soft soap solution or dab the pests with alcohol. If the infestation is severe, use ecological pesticides based on neem oil. Thorough quarantine of the affected plant is also important.
Recognize symptoms and take immediate action – this is how it works
Mealybug infestation can be recognized by tiny, white cotton balls on the green epidermis. The pests hide underneath to extract the sap from the cacti. If you run your finger over it, a greasy coating is created, which is why the second name mealybugs comes from.
Before taking control measures, please quarantine the affected cactus immediately. Mealybugs multiply explosively, threatening to spread to neighboring plants.
Getting rid of mealybugs with home remedies - How to do it
The we alth of experience in successfully combating mealybugs with natural means makes it unnecessary in many cases to resort to chemical insecticides. We present the two best methods to you below:
Soap solution
- Make a mix from 1 l boiled water, 15 ml soft soap, 12 ml spirit
- Spray every 2-3 days or apply with a brush
Alcohol
- Soak cotton swabs with alcohol and dab the mealybugs
- Wipe cacti without thorns with a cloth soaked in alcohol
- Pour lemon balm spirit into a used perfume bottle and spray on
Ecological control agents based on neem oil aim in a similar direction to the soft soap solution. These are available from specialist retailers and can be used in living spaces without hesitation as they do not contain any chemical components.
Don’t end quarantine too early
The use of natural control agents always requires a lot of patience. As a rule, all pests are only truly free of mealybugs after repeated treatment. Please only clear out a cactus once it has proven to be louse-free for at least 2 weeks. Beforehand, examine the plant thoroughly with a magnifying glass, because the pests are masters of camouflage.
Tip
If you care for and overwinter your cacti in the greenhouse, you have another option for combating mealybugs. The Australian ladybird (Cryptolaemus montrouzieri) likes to eat lice. The beneficial insects are released and eat the pests in no time.