4 Best Pest Control For Succulents

If you’re a succulent owner, you may have occasionally noticed bugs, mold, or sticky residue on your succulents. These bugs are called pests and bug fans of succulent leaves, where you’re most likely to see those damp and moldy spots. Those bugs and spots can be challenging to find, nonetheless, due to being small in size and often hidden on the underside and within the folds of the leaves. However, these issues must be treated shortly after exposure to prevent damage, decay, or larger infestations.

As a succulent owner, you may wonder how to treat these infestations properly. There are various ways, with pest-controlling substances being the most effective. Due to frequent recurring bugs and damages, infestations within succulents are challenging to mend. Infestations are a natural part of owning a plant, but resolving these problems is not impossible. If you’re wondering how to safely rid your succulents of bugs or which pest controls will work best, read on to learn more.

What Is Pest Control?

Pest control is a substance that eliminates and protects areas or plants from various pests. Those pests can be anything from insects to rodents, although more minor pests like insects are mostly found on succulents. Pest control can be done by a professional or an individual at home. Getting said pests under control sooner rather than later is essential because they have a keen sense of causing property damage. Therefore, pest control manages those damages and prevents infestations from becoming a recurring act. When applying a pest control substance to a succulent infestation, it is better to do so during the cooler temperatures to allow the importance to remain moist enough for the plant to absorb it.

How Does Pest Control Help Succulents?

#1. Different Methods To Properly Remove A Pest From A Succulent

Typically, when a pest is found on a succulent, the owner heads straight into using pesticides. However, those aren’t always the ideal immediate solution. Although only a few pests were mentioned, a couple more are easier to treat. Some of the easier pests can sometimes just be removed before they have a chance to harm the plant. Other times, another method is needed. Therefore, I have provided a list of a few possible ways to help remove pests from a succulent.

• Method 1: Using the appropriate tool, you’ll need to carefully cut off the infected area of your succulent. Analyze the rest of the plant for any straggling bugs and remove them.
• Method 2: Use water with soap mixed in. Put the mixture in a spray bottle and spray it directly onto the bugs and infested areas of the plants.
• Method 3: If your other attempts have not worked, you could try rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol is harsh enough to either eliminate the pests or stun them so you can remove them (refer to method 1).
• Method 4: When all else fails, rely on pesticides or systemic insecticides. Keep in mind that these solutions are more likely to harm the succulent. Depending on the kind you purchase, you may have to dilute it – otherwise, proceed to spray the solution directly onto the infestation.

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#2. A Classic Choice For Pest Control – Neem Oil

When classic pest control is needed for those peskier infestations, know which solution is the best and most effective. There are a few pesticides that fit that category. However, one of the best is Neem Oil. Neem Oil is organically-made pest control made from seeds from a tree. This treatment is highly recommended as it suffocates the pests and makes them incapable of reproducing anymore. To use Neem Oil on your succulents, pour some into a spray bottle and mix in some water. Then, spray the substance directly onto the plant by avoiding as many succulents as possible.

This treatment does take about a week to work fully, but it is, in fact, highly effective for removing pests on succulents. If you are looking for a nature-friendly option, don’t miss the next part!

#3. A Natural Homemade Option DIY

You could try homemade pest control if you prefer a much more natural approach to getting rid of pests on your succulent plant. A garlic-based bug spray is one of the best (and most recommended) homemade pest controls. For this recipe, you will need:

• 3 oz garlic (minced)
• 1 oz mineral oil

Combine the ingredients into a spray bottle and mix it thoroughly to make this spray. You’ll need to spray the treatment onto the infested area and all over the succulent (because this is all-natural, it won’t harm your plant!). If this spray doesn’t work on the infestation, there are tips online on extra ingredients that you could add.

Is Pest Control Safe For Your Succulent?

This is one of the most-asked questions about saving succulents from pests. As mentioned, pest controls can harm succulents if they reach the plant’s features. Nonetheless, pest control is mandatory if and when an infestation on your succulent is extensive or severe. Unless a much more natural solution works better, we’ll use biological pest control shortly, but first, it’s essential to understand standard pesticides’ effects. If you need pest control, avoid the spray touching the plant. But, if it does reach the plant, don’t panic –wash the area or remove it entirely.

Make sure to follow Succulent City on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram for more informative & interesting content about succulents & cacti 🙂 Happy planting, and live the moment, my friend!

4 Best Pest Control For Succulents We Recommend

Now that you have a better idea of the pesky creatures that may appear on your succulents, you will be introduced to getting rid of them properly. Some pest controls can seem harsh for your succulent’s liking. But, more muscular pest control is needed for larger infestations to fight those unwanted pests. Therefore, I have included four of the best pest controls available for succulents – two being subtle and two being harsher.

#1. Neem Oil (subtle)

Neem Oil is commonly used in a wide variety of pest control substances. Depending on the size of your infestations, this product is a touch-and-go alternative. It may or may not be effective for larger infestations. Nonetheless, this pest control is a great choice aside from the aroma. The solution is meant to be used anywhere from once to a few times per week to give it a chance to work. Applying this to the succulent is bound to stun the pests to mate. Once that has been achieved, the owner can expose and remove the problems.

Our suggestion: Bonide BND022- Ready to Use Neem Oil, Insect Pesticide for Organic Gardening 32 Oz

#2. Trifecta Crop Control (subtle)

This Trifecta Crop Control product is indoor-safe pest control of essential oils. It is known to kill off an assortment of pests, from spiders to mold and everything in between, after just a straightforward use. Using this doesn’t require dilution, adding, or mixing; just a simple spray on the succulent will do the trick.

Our suggestion: Trifecta Crop Control Ready to Use Maximum Strength Natural Pesticide, Fungicide, Miticide, …, 32 OZ Size

#3. Acephate (harsh)

Acephate is a systemic insecticide pest control that provides a bit harsher experience (learn more about whether systemic insecticides are safe for succulents). This is one of the key ingredients used in other complex pest controls. To safely use this product on your succulents, you must separate it a little at a time. Using an individual spray bottle could be helpful. You will then need to dilute the bit you would like to use by adding a little bit of water and mixing it. From there, thoroughly coat the succulents and the soil.

Our suggestion: Acephate 97UP 1lb bag Generic Orthene Insect & Fire Ant Killer

#4. Imidacloprid (harsh)

Of all of the pest controls recommended for use on succulents, Imidacloprid is the most intense one. But it is highly effective nonetheless. Like Acephate, this product is a systemic insecticide used to control pests, but only when diluted (learn more about whether systemic insecticides are safe for succulents). This product is best used for larger infestations or last resort if other pest controls do not work.

Our suggestion: BioAdvanced 701810A Systemic Plant Fertilizer and Insecticide with Imidacloprid 12 Month Tree & Shrub Protect & Feed, 32 oz, Concentrate

In Conclusion

To conclude this article, succulent infestations are every juicy owner’s worst nightmare. Regardless of the types of pests occupying the space, they always seem to spread and become a huge hassle to remove. Luckily, adequate pest controls help if and when it reaches that point. Hopefully, this information has helped you greatly, and always remember that less is more when it comes to pest control substances.

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