How to deal with mealybugs on succulents?
Today, I would like to introduce to everyone the experience of dealing with mealybugs on succulents. It's some very useful knowledge, and I suggest you bookmark it!
Early spring is the high-incidence period for various types of mealybugs infesting succulents. After being damaged by the piercing-sucking of mealybugs, the spring growth of succulents is hindered, the color of the leaves (stems) turns dark, and sometimes there are adult mealybugs covered with waxy shields, which often leaves enthusiasts at a loss and they have to discard them to prevent further spread of the pest. In fact, using alcohol scrubbing combined with potting changes to treat severely infested plants with mealybugs is effective and easy to perform. The specific methods are as follows:
Medicines and tools
Use an oil painting brush to dip an appropriate amount of 75% alcohol and scrub the areas where mealybugs are concentrated multiple times.
Principles and advantages
75% alcohol has surface disinfectant and antiseptic properties. After treatment, the main components volatilize quickly, leaving little residue on the epidermis, and do not easily form stains that affect the plant's appearance. The oil painting brush can flexibly and effectively scrub mealybugs in the ridges, creases,瘦基 (thin bases), back of leaves, and overlapping areas of cacti and succulents.
Post-treatment
After scrubbing, place the plant in a 40% Fenvalerate emulsion diluted 1000 times solution for a short while, then dry it (this step can be omitted for home planting), and place it separately. At the same time, combine with potting changes, repotting with new soil, cleaning the old pots, and then disinfecting at high temperatures or soaking in a 0.05% potassium permanganate solution to prevent secondary transmission. During this period, strengthen management and pay attention to the recurrence of mealybug infestations.
It should be noted that this method is only a last resort. For the maintenance of cacti and succulents, prevention should be the primary focus, with treatment as a secondary measure. In early spring, strengthen ventilation, adjust the pot distance in a timely manner, and closely monitor the occurrence and spread of various mealybug infestations.
The above is a method introduction about how to deal with mealybugs on succulents, which can serve as a reference for everyone.