Help!
I’ve noticed some strange, cobweb-like things on my cactus and in its pot. When I looked more closely, I thought I saw tiny bugs that looked like microscopic beetles. Could anyone help me figure out what these are and if I can save the plant? It hasn’t grown much in the past year, so I finally decided to take a closer look.
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@Morgan3300 looks like mealy bugs and possibly root mealy bugs? I can give you the treatment for mealy bugs but I’m not sure what would be the best way to treat root mealy bugs on a cactus, if that is what these are. @SuperbRaspfern could we ask you to take a look here please? 🙏
@Malagueña , here is some information on Neeme oil. Effectiveness of Neem Oil on Mealybugs
How Neem Oil Works
Neem oil is a natural insecticide derived from the seeds of the neem tree. It disrupts the feeding and reproductive processes of various pests, including mealybugs. The active compounds in neem oil, particularly azadirachtin, interfere with the insects' hormones, leading to their eventual death.
Application and Results
Timeframe: Neem oil does not kill mealybugs instantly. It may take several days to weeks for the effects to become noticeable.
Application Method: For best results, neem oil should be mixed with water and applied according to the product instructions. A common dilution is 1-2 teaspoons of neem oil per quart of water, along with a few drops of mild soap to help it mix.
Safety Considerations
Neem oil is generally safe for use on plants and does not harm beneficial insects when applied correctly.
Always follow the specific product label for dilution rates and application guidelines to avoid damaging your plants.
In summary, neem oil can effectively kill mealybugs, but patience and proper application are key to achieving the desired results.
How Neem Oil Works
Neem oil is a natural insecticide derived from the seeds of the neem tree. It disrupts the feeding and reproductive processes of various pests, including mealybugs. The active compounds in neem oil, particularly azadirachtin, interfere with the insects' hormones, leading to their eventual death.
Application and Results
Timeframe: Neem oil does not kill mealybugs instantly. It may take several days to weeks for the effects to become noticeable.
Application Method: For best results, neem oil should be mixed with water and applied according to the product instructions. A common dilution is 1-2 teaspoons of neem oil per quart of water, along with a few drops of mild soap to help it mix.
Safety Considerations
Neem oil is generally safe for use on plants and does not harm beneficial insects when applied correctly.
Always follow the specific product label for dilution rates and application guidelines to avoid damaging your plants.
In summary, neem oil can effectively kill mealybugs, but patience and proper application are key to achieving the desired results.
To me it looks like it could be white cottony scale.
The reason is when I zoomed in I found a couple things that suggest that.
First the photo with the grey bugs. Scale looks like that when it dies, it turns grey.
The females will turn colors depending on their age adults will have a brown color like photo 2.
They are often confused with Mealybugs because they look similar. The difference is that scale does not have a tail. But they excrete a cottony type waxy substance to protect their eggs. Making them look like Mealybugs.
But it does have stringy bits that can get knocked loose from the egg sacs and they look like fine threads.
The for sure test is:
Scrape one off and squish it. If it looks red it's a cottony scale. They are hard to remove and you have to scrape them off with your fingernail. The Scale itself doesn't really move. It's very slow.
Most of the time they are brought to your plant by ants. They hitchhike on them and they ants help them out with a ride. In return the ants feed on the honeydew they leave behind.
Now if you see them move. Then it could be Mealybugs. But Mealybugs always have a tail filament.
So, after you squish one you will know. If it's scale they are easy to remove.
Mix 1 tablespoon pure neem oil with 4 cups of water and spray your cacti down.
Once a week for 3 weeks. If Mealybugs @DreamMachine can help you out with treatment.
@DreamMachine Hi Nadia, thanks for the tag. This is an interesting one! My favorite kind. 🩷
The reason is when I zoomed in I found a couple things that suggest that.
First the photo with the grey bugs. Scale looks like that when it dies, it turns grey.
The females will turn colors depending on their age adults will have a brown color like photo 2.
They are often confused with Mealybugs because they look similar. The difference is that scale does not have a tail. But they excrete a cottony type waxy substance to protect their eggs. Making them look like Mealybugs.
But it does have stringy bits that can get knocked loose from the egg sacs and they look like fine threads.
The for sure test is:
Scrape one off and squish it. If it looks red it's a cottony scale. They are hard to remove and you have to scrape them off with your fingernail. The Scale itself doesn't really move. It's very slow.
Most of the time they are brought to your plant by ants. They hitchhike on them and they ants help them out with a ride. In return the ants feed on the honeydew they leave behind.
Now if you see them move. Then it could be Mealybugs. But Mealybugs always have a tail filament.
So, after you squish one you will know. If it's scale they are easy to remove.
Mix 1 tablespoon pure neem oil with 4 cups of water and spray your cacti down.
Once a week for 3 weeks. If Mealybugs @DreamMachine can help you out with treatment.
@DreamMachine Hi Nadia, thanks for the tag. This is an interesting one! My favorite kind. 🩷
@SuperbRaspfern oh interesting! I did not know there was a white cottony scale. I was also wondering what those fine threads could be. And mealybugs are a type of scale too, right? I wonder if the tail and movement is the only thing that specifies the difference. A new thing to look up! 😄 Thank you Shannon 🙏
@DreamMachine Yes, they are all part of a big family called Coccoidea.
It's a big family sort of like mammals so there is a ton of variety.
Mealybugs are soft bodied so you can squish them easily.
Scale is hard bodied with a protective armor. They are much harder to squish you need a fingernail to break through the armor.
Also, scale are pretty much immobile, so they are unlikely to spread from plant to plant without the help of ants. So treatment is MUCH easier.
Mealybugs can really get around well and be brushed off while walking past. While scale is stuck on.
But the same treatment applies and works to break down their armor and kill them off. 🩷
It's a big family sort of like mammals so there is a ton of variety.
Mealybugs are soft bodied so you can squish them easily.
Scale is hard bodied with a protective armor. They are much harder to squish you need a fingernail to break through the armor.
Also, scale are pretty much immobile, so they are unlikely to spread from plant to plant without the help of ants. So treatment is MUCH easier.
Mealybugs can really get around well and be brushed off while walking past. While scale is stuck on.
But the same treatment applies and works to break down their armor and kill them off. 🩷
@SuperbRaspfern wow this is so helpful!! I was thinking it was different from mealy bugs because I’ve delt with them in the past! Thanks a lot I’ll take a closer look and try the neem oil
Just keep her protected from the sun through treatment so she doesn't burn. 🩷