Their thorny robes may keep predators at bay. However, cacti are not protected against various pests. Read here which pests occur frequently. Benefit from our tips for environmentally friendly control.

Pests don't stop at cacti either

Identify and get rid of spider mites

Spider mites owe their name to the delicate webs that they create between the shoots and tendrils. Mottled skin also indicates an infestation of these pests. How to fight the pests in harmony with nature:

  • Wrap the root ball in a bag to give the cactus a thorough shower with lukewarm water
  • Then pack leaf cacti in an airtight, transparent plastic bag for 3-4 days
  • Treat desert cacti with an ecological agent containing neem oil from specialist retailers

During treatment, the affected cacti should be isolated from other plants to prevent further spread.

Fight Mealybugs Effectively - Tips & Tricks

Mealybugs protect themselves with waxy shells resembling white cotton balls. A woolly, white covering develops under high infestation pressure. In order for the fight against the pests to be successful, the armor must disintegrate. The plan can succeed with alcohol or spirits. Simply dab individual mealybugs with a cotton swab. If larger areas have already formed, spray them with alcohol or lemon balm spirit.

If your cacti are in a greenhouse, conservatory or hothouse, entrust the fight to beneficial insects. Above all, the Australian ladybird (Cryptolaemus montrouzieri) loves to eat mealybugs.

Vine weevils add to outdoor cacti

Hardy cacti planted in the bed are often visited by large, black beetles. Vine weevils and their larvae feed on the roots and shoots alike. A clear symptom of the epidermis is the typical pit damage. Nematodes have proven to be an effective control agent. The microscopic roundworms are used with the irrigation water or in the form of bait traps for adult weevils.

tips

Thanks to their hard skin, desert cacti are mostly spared by aphids. However, this does not apply to leaf cacti, whose fleshy leaves are a feast for the lice. As soon as the green, black or white pests catch your eye, they should be fought with the classic soft soap solution. The household remedy is so successful that it is now also available ready-made in specialist shops.

Category:

Vegetable garden