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Catus creepie crawlies

pash2pash2 Posts: 95
in Problem solving

Hi

I think my cactus's have got visitors

very small beige things

what is the best things to do to get rid of them?

thanks  

Posts

  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,204

    Mealybugs by the sound of it. Hard to get rid of. Use a systemic insecticde such as Bug clear ultra. Spraying is not too good as they have a waxy coating on them which protects them.

    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • pash2pash2 Posts: 95

    Thank you

  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,204

    If they look like tiny little beige cotton wool balls they are mealybugs but if they are smooth its scale. I still bet on them being mealybugs image A picture would have helped us.

    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • pash2pash2 Posts: 95

    imageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimage   please excuse the mess i am trying to renovate the house as i have just moved in.

    Not sure what i am looking for on the plants as it was on on some paper work next to one of the cactus.

    I am also going to re pot them this week

    Thanks 

  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,204

    Well did the little beasties look like either of the two descriptions I gave you earlier? I cannot actually see anything on your cacti.

    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • pash2pash2 Posts: 95

    Not sure as I didn't take much notice,

    I will get some meths and "clean" the cactus with it and then wash off with water and treat with the bug clear then repot but will keep an eye out next time

    Thank you

  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053

    Don't 'wash' the cacti with meths!! Just dip the cotton bud in meths and dab it onto the mealy bugs! Mealy bugs are 'hairy', scale insects are not. Treat it with scale insect bug spray if it is scale insects as the meths treatment will not work on them. 

    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • pash2pash2 Posts: 95

    thanks everyone 

    i dont mean i will wash the plants it is just a figure of speech

    After i have used a paint brush to apply the meths do i use a paint brush and water to clean / rinse the plant?

    With the silver torch can i just replace the compost and position it so the stalks are not touching the sides of the pot or should i re pot it in a bigger pot?image

    thanks again

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