Common Pests Affecting Succulents and How to Treat Them
Anyone who keeps succulents or other indoor plants will eventually have to deal with pests — it’s an unfortunate fact of plant ownership. Although succulents are not the most vulnerable to insect damage, they can be preyed upon by insects that suck on their juices, leaving the leaves damaged and the plant weakened.
Certain types of succulents (including many Echeverias, Crassulas, and Kalanchoe species) have a waxy coating on their leaves called farina or epicuticular wax that can help keep insects at bay. This substance looks like a very fine white powder on the leaves, so if your succulent has this, don’t wipe it off! It’s beneficial for the plant.
Mealybugs and Scale
These two common houseplant pests are closely related (mealybugs are actually a type of soft scale), with similar behaviors and treatment options.
Mealybugs may not look like insects at first glance, but once you know what they look like, they are unmistakable. These small pests can be up to ⅓ inches long, and they are white and fuzzy-looking. You will usually find mealybugs clustered together on the underside of leaves or near any joints in the plant.
Scale insects are often overlooked because there are many different shapes, sizes, and colors. The most common type of scale is a brown, dome-shaped insect. Once they are mature and have attached themselves to the plant, they don’t move. Their color and shape allow them to blend in with the natural bumps on many plants. When there are a lot of scale insects on a plant, they become more noticeable. They usually cluster around leaf joints or veins.
Treating Succulents with Mealybugs or Scale
These types of insects can be treated by using a cotton swab dipped in alcohol to kill visible insects by dissolving their protective coating. This method is safe for plants and works well, but requires diligence to make sure that all insects are removed. This method is best if there are just a few scale insects or mealybugs present. A strong spray of water can remove mealybugs but is usually not effective against scale insects since they attach themselves to the plant firmly.
For more serious infestations, a diluted alcohol spray (one part alcohol to three parts water) or insecticidal soap spray covers more of the plant’s surface in a short time, but may cause damage to succulents and cacti. Be sure to test it on a small area before spraying the whole plant. Also know that scale insects can live in soil, so you may want to repot your succulent if you have recurring infestations. Be sure to sterilize your pot before using it again.