How To Get Rid Of Mealybugs On Succulents | Top 4 Ways

Succulents are beautiful tiny plants that are very easy to grow and takes up very little space in your garden. But while growing them usually most of us face the problem of mealybugs. These mealybugs are the worst nightmare for you and your plants because once they have attacked your succulents then they start eating up and spreading all over succulents. These are like a plague if you have them on one of your succulents then within a few days, they will spread all of the near succulents. It can be very difficult to get rid of them if not detected early. In this article let’s get to know how to get rid of mealybugs on succulents. Also, I will tell you one home remedy for getting rid of them.

What are mealybugs?

Mealybugs are white colored wingless creatures sometimes they are light brown colored that eats up the succulents and stops the new growth of your plant. These bugs are very contagious and spread to other plants in no time so it’s important to isolate the succulent which has these mealybugs from other plants. The common cause of these bugs can be overwatering as well as too much fertilization.

The indoor succulents mostly face these nasty mealybugs ( not that outdoor succulents won’t get affected ). This can be due to the indoor temperature. Mealybugs usually appear inside a white web-like structure in the nooks and the crannies of succulents and love to hide in the gap between the leaves and the stem. That’s the blind-spot we usually don’t take into consideration while checking up on your succulent weekly.

Early detection is the key to save your succulents from the attack of these nasty mealybugs. Otherwise, you may end up losing your beautiful plant. These bugs are so contagious that they spread very fast on your plant as well as to the other one which is beside the infected plant. Once they are spread all over your succulent they tend to eat and change the shape of your succulents and may leave the plant with some dents.

How to get rid of mealybugs on succulents?

Getting rid of mealybugs on succulents can be frustrating sometimes, as they might keep returning back on your succulents. That’s why it’s important to know how to get rid of mealybugs on succulents in such a way that they won’t attack your plant again. To get rid of them I have found few of the very effective ways and as I have said earlier one on them is a simple home remedy. Let’s get to know both remedies.

#1 Killing mealybugs with alcohol

The most effective way to get rid of the mealybugs is to use alcohol. Using 70% of isopropyl alcohol for your succulent is one of the best ways to kill mealybugs. As most of the other pesticides in the market may end up damaging our beautiful plant while killing mealybugs.

Many people consider rubbing the isopropyl alcohol on the leaves and the stem of the succulents but I consider spraying it all over the plant. When you use a spray bottle to spray the succulents, it is an effective way to kill the mealybugs as this will cover even the smallest part of the plant where they might be hiding. Also, I find this technique very easy and handy. Keep the spray bottle right next to the plant so that whenever you notice these bugs spray it right away.

As we know that early detection is the key to save succulents from the bugs, look for the bugs weekly and as soon as you notice them then just by spraying one time is enough but if the infestation is spread all over then we need to spray until they disappear completely. Also, don’t forget to isolate your plant as it might infect the others around too.

How to get rid of mealybugs in soil

If you have bugs all over the plant as well as in the soil then you should consider pouring the alcohol on the soil as it will kill all the eggs of the bugs that are hiding in the soil. You should do this always as this is a lucrative way to kill the bugs that are hiding inside the soil.

Will alcohol end-up harming succulents?

No, not at all. It is the safest way to kill bugs than pesticides. When you spray alcohol on your succulent it evaporates very quickly in the air. So only the water will remain on the leaves. When you use a spray bottle then alcohol will evaporate before damaging the leaves so I find this the safest way to kill the mealybugs.

#2 Hair Shampoo to get rid of mealybugs on succulents

Yes, a hair shampoo to kill bugs. I know that doesn’t sound familiar but this is one of the easy home remedies I was talking about earlier. Many people use this technique for their indoor plants. Take approx 50-80 milliliter of shampoo and dilute it in water. Take the spray bottle and fill the water completely in it and then add shampoo. Spray that mixture on your succulents. This remedy you can use and many people find this effective but According to my experience spraying alcohol is the best one. If you don’t have the luxury of alcohol then this home remedy will rescue your succulents.

#3 Neem oil

Neem oil is an antiseptic and antifungal pest solution that can be used to kill the mealybugs that have attacked our beautiful succulents. Apply neem oil on the infected area of the plant do not apply neem oil during the day as it might burn the succulent try to apply it at night so that oil can sit on the plant for the whole night without causing any damage to our plant.

#4 Pressured water

This is the most basic way to treat the mealybugs, what you have to do is to take something just like a pipe or jet spray which can produce water pressure. Once you have a pipe start spraying water with high pressure on your plant until all of the bugs are washed out thoroughly. Rinse the nooks and crannies thoroughly such that there are no bugs. If done once and the next day again they come back then do this until the bugs fully disappear. Remember to take care of the succulent so that it won’t drown in water.

Why do mealybugs attack succulents?

Mealybugs attack the succulent in search of food they usually feed over the plants and they have a mutual understanding with the ants. As they produce, the sweet substance that attracts the ants and in exchange the ants provide the protection to these mealybugs from other insects. These nasty bugs have a tendency to reproduce exponentially and within night you can see they are doubled in numbers. Due to this, we find difficulty in getting rid of them therefore early detection is the key to save succulents.

What causes mealybugs to attack succulents

One day you have the beautiful succulent sitting in a pot and the next day when you notice there are lots of tiny white creatures eating up your succulent. Why does this happen where do they come from? Well here are the few mistakes you might be doing to invite these mealybugs on your beautiful succulents.

• Placing your plant in the warm climate
• Not giving good light
• Planting succulents in a contaminated soil

There may be many other reasons for the attack of mealybugs but till now I have noticed these causes. Always check your succulents thoroughly every week while watering and keep an eye on these creatures.

Final words

I hope you found what you were looking for and if you have any other way to save succulents from the mealybugs do let me know in the comments. Also, learn how to take care of succulents in winter. These are very beautiful plants and I recommend you to plant succulents at home and gift a succulent to your loved ones to make them feel special so that we can contribute to the green life.