One of the most annoying and harmful bugs that often infest succulents is the mealy bug. If you don’t stop them, these tiny insects that feed on sap can kill your pretty succulents very quickly. It takes patience and the right tools to get rid of mealy bugs, but it can be done. Find out how to spot, stop, and get rid of mealy bug infestations on your succulents with this complete guide.
What are Mealy Bugs?
Mealy bugs are tiny oval-shaped insects, about 1-5 mm long, that have a white waxy or cotton-like coating on their bodies. They pierce the succulent leaves and stems with their piercing mouthparts to suck out the plant sap.
Signs of a mealy bug infestation include:
- White cottony masses on leaves, stems, or in crevices
- Distorted and stunted new growth
- Yellowing or wilting leaves
- Honeydew secretions on leaves that turn black later
- Presence of ants, as they feed on the honeydew
Mealy bugs love to hide in crevices near leaf axils, under leaves, and at the base of stems where it’s harder to spot them. They multiply quickly and spread fast from plant to plant.
How Do Mealy Bugs Get on My Succulents?
Mealy bugs and their eggs can easily hitch a ride indoors on new plants. Overwatering and high nitrogen fertilizers also make succulents susceptible.
Mealy bugs are spread outside by ants, birds, and wind currents. Stressed or damaged plants are more vulnerable to infestations.
Mealy bugs thrive in warmer temperatures indoors and will flourish on succulents grouped close together.
How to Prevent Mealy Bug Infestations
Here are some things you can do to keep mealy bugs from taking over your succulents:
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Quarantine and closely inspect new plants before introducing to existing collection.
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Provide adequate sunlight and ventilation. Avoid overcrowding.
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Water properly and avoid overwatering. Let soil dry between waterings.
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Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers that produce soft, sappy growth.
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Periodically inspect undersides of leaves and crevices for white masses.
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Keep ants away from plants. They protect mealy bugs for the honeydew secretions.
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Remove any heavily infested plants immediately to prevent spreading.
How to Get Rid of Mealy Bugs on Succulents
If mealy bugs are detected early, you can get rid of them manually before they multiply. But heavy infestations often need chemical control measures.
Manual Removal
Use a soft toothbrush, cotton swab, or old toothpick to manually brush away and crush any visible mealy bugs on leaves and stems. Remove any heavily infested leaves or stems.
Wipe leaves thoroughly with a cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol to kill any remaining bugs. The alcohol quickly evaporates without harming succulents. Repeat every few days until all bugs are gone.
Insecticidal Soap
Mealy bug soaps made from potassium salts of fatty acids can be very good at getting rid of them without hurting succulents. Spray the whole plant, but pay extra attention to the undersides of the leaves and the cracks in the stems.
Most insecticidal soaps need to be applied repeatedly every 5-7 days for 2-3 weeks to kill newly hatched nymphs. Always follow label directions.
Isopropyl Alcohol
A 70% isopropyl alcohol solution makes a highly effective and safe treatment against mealy bugs on succulents.
Make a spray solution by mixing 2 parts isopropyl alcohol with 1 part water in a spray bottle. Liberally spray all areas of the plant, especially undersides of leaves and crevices on stems. This dissolves the waxy coating on bugs and kills them on contact.
Repeat applications every few days may be needed to kill newly emerged nymphs. The alcohol quickly evaporates without harming succulents.
Neem Oil
Neem oil is a natural insecticide that can help control mealy bug infestations. Mix neem oil as recommended and thoroughly spray all parts of the succulent. The oil coats the insects and eggs and interferes with their growth and reproduction.
Repeat applications are needed every 7-14 days for a few weeks. Don’t spray neem oil during the hot midday sun as it may burn succulents. Carefully follow mixing and application directions.
Systemic Insecticides
Systemic insecticides like imidacloprid are taken up by plant roots and make the plant tissues toxic to sucking insects like mealy bugs. They are most effective against heavy infestations.
Follow label directions and apply as a thorough soil drench around the base of the succulent. It takes about 2-3 weeks to be fully transmitted within the plant. Do not use on blooming succulents.
Biological Control
Lady bugs, lacewings, and mealybug destroyer cryptolaemus beetles are natural predators of mealy bugs. They are safest for the environment and complement other control methods.
Attract these beneficial insects to your indoor succulents by providing shallow dishes of water and nectar plants. You can also purchase them from garden suppliers.
Avoid using broad spectrum insecticides which kill off these beneficial predators.
How to Avoid Spreading Mealy Bugs to Other Plants
To avoid spreading mealy bugs further:
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Isolate and treat infested plants away from healthy ones.
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Keep plants spaced apart to prevent physical contact.
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Sterilize garden tools, pots, and trays with rubbing alcohol.
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Control ants which transport mealy bugs.
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Remove and destroy heavily infested plants.
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Periodically spray insecticidal soap on non-infested plants.
With diligence and persistence, you can get rid of mealy bugs and protect your beloved succulents using these organic and safe methods. Early detection and treatment is key before the bugs can multiply out of control.
How can I get rid of mealybugs?
The video below shows the technique I use to get rid of mealybugs from succulents using isopropyl alcohol. You can also read the details of this method in the sections that follow.
While many plant pesticides will kill mealybugs, the best solution Ive found to kill them is 70% isopropyl alcohol. Many people recommend using q-tips to dab on the alcohol, but Ive found that a spray bottle is much more effective and easier to use.
I actually keep a little travel sized spray bottle next to my plants so I can kill the nasty things as soon as they show up. I do use a larger one if the infestation gets out of hand or affects very many plants.
When you first notice the mealybugs, move your infected plants away from everything else. Mealybugs spread quickly and you dont want to risk other plants getting infected.
To kill the mealybugs with the alcohol, simply spray the alcohol directly on the mealybugs, wherever they are on the succulent.
Be sure to check those hard to see places near the stem. Spray them really well with the alcohol. As soon as you spray them, the web-like substance will almost go away, leaving behind a small, black or brown bug about the size of a crumb.
Generally, if you catch the mealybugs early just one round of alcohol spray will be enough to kill them. If you didnt quite get them all though, they may come back in a day or two. Continue to spray them until they dont come back.
If youve had a large infestation, it may be a good idea to pour alcohol over the soil the next time you water. This will kill any bugs or eggs that are hiding out in the soil.
Doesn’t the alcohol damage the succulent?
Nope! The great thing about alcohol, as opposed to other pesticides, is its completely safe for succulents.
I’ve pretty much soaked some plants in alcohol for a few days in a row because they had a really bad mealy bug plague. They didnt show any signs of burn or damage from the alcohol. The alcohol itself evaporates quickly, so its just water that remains. The spray bottle won’t get too much on the leaves, so it will dry out before it can do any harm.
Treating Mealybugs on Succulents
FAQ
How do I get rid of mealybugs on my succulent?
The best way is to treat the affected area with isopropyl alcohol. Use a swab to clean the infected area and then clean it with water. The other way is to use high-pressure water to wash the plant. The powerful water current can easily remove the mealy bugs.
What kills mealybugs instantly?
Isopropyl alcohol (70% solution) can kill mealybugs on contact. Simply soak a cotton ball or swab in the alcohol and gently wipe the bugs off the plant.
What happens if you touch mealybugs?
Mealybugs are not harmful to humans.
What is the best mealybug spray for succulents?
A mix of water, dish soap, and a small amount of rubbing alcohol works well. Spray the whole plant, making sure to cover the bare parts of the leaves and any cracks where mealybugs could hide. Repeat this treatment weekly until the infestation is fully under control.