How To Get Rid Of Pests In Succulents
Succulent plants are among the most popular household plants in America due to their ease of care. While it isn’t easy to kill succulents, these household favorites are highly susceptible to pests. Unfortunately, pest control on succulent plants is more difficult than on other types of plants due to their soft exterior, which can be easily damaged during extermination. If you don’t have any prior experience with extermination, you’ve come to the right place. Here are five steps to help rid your beloved succulents of pests.
Step 1: Examine Your Succulents
The first step to effective pest elimination is to determine which plants are affected. The two most common types of succulent pests are aphids and mealybugs. If you notice specks on your plants, chances are they are infected with aphids. It’s important to rid your plants of aphids immediately, as these small pests can do a lot of damage by sucking out the juice from your plants. Alternatively, mealybugs create fuzzy white lumps on plants and are particularly dangerous to succulents. Mealybugs feed on plant sap and have toxic saliva, which can cause distorted plant growth and even premature leaf drop. Regardless of the type of pest you notice, it’s important to administer proper care right away to avoid spreading and plant damage.
If you’re in White City, FL, and need professional assistance with pest control for your succulents, contact White City pest control experts for help.
Step 2: Quarantine Affected Plants
Once you’ve determined which plants are infected, it’s time to quarantine the affected succulents to stop the bugs from spreading. Isolating your infected plants will also help you keep a closer eye on them, allowing you to administer additional care to those that are not responding to treatment.
It’s also a good idea to quarantine any new succulents you purchase in a separate room for a few weeks before introducing them to your other plants. If any insect eggs were laid on the plant before you bought it, they will hatch, and you can physically remove the pests and treat the plant before you introduce it to your other succulents. For residents in White City, FL, this is a key step in ensuring your plants stay pest-free.
Step 3: Administer Proper Pest Control
One of the best ways to keep pests away from your succulents is to take measures to protect them. Taking preventative measures at the beginning will help you avoid a major headache down the road. Whenever you purchase a new succulent, it’s important to spray it with a systemic insecticide while the plant is quarantined. The insecticide will make your succulent poisonous to pests, thereby protecting it from damage. It’s also wise to spray your plants for a second time when you re-pot them.
If one of your current succulents becomes infested, a great way to cure it, if you wish to avoid chemicals, is to spray it with 70% alcohol. When you do this, ensure that you cover every angle of the plant. If you find that alcohol does not work, you can opt for a mixture of dish soap and water, insecticidal soap, or use an insecticide spray. If you’re in need of pest control White City services, Palm Coast Pest Control can assist with eco-friendly pest elimination strategies.
Step 4: Keep A Watchful Eye
Just because you rid your succulents of pests once doesn’t mean they will stay away forever. After all, bugs are very attracted to plants. Check your succulents regularly for signs of bugs and quarantine any affected plants immediately.
Step 5: Repeat
If you find pests in your succulents again, repeat steps one through four listed above. If you are unable to get rid of the pests on your own, enlist the services of a professional pest control White City FL company.
Preventative Tips to Keep Pests Away
While you cannot eliminate the possibility of your succulents falling victim to pests, there are things you can do to help reduce the chance of this happening:
- Remove dead leaves: This prevents bugs from having a place to breed and hide. Removing dead leaves will also help reduce the chance of mold forming.
- Keep your succulents dry: Wet soil tends to attract pests.
- Don’t reuse soil: Or put dead leaves from infected plants into the compost pile.
- Keep your succulents healthy during the growing season by using a mild, balanced fertilizer.
Real Story: Jo’s Experience with Palm Coast Pest Control
“We’ve been using Palm Coast Pest Control for 5 years to handle the inside of our house, perimeter, lawn, and shrubbery. We have always been pleased with their service. Randy is one of their best technicians and is very thorough. I would highly recommend Palm Coast Pest Control.”
— Jo, White City, FL
Additional Tips for Effective Pest Control
- Clean your succulents’ pots to prevent pests from nesting.
- Ensure your succulents receive enough sunlight to stay healthy and pest-resistant.
- Avoid overwatering your succulents, as damp environments attract pests.
- Keep the surrounding areas of your succulents tidy and free from pests.
Contact Palm Coast Pest Control for Help
If you’re struggling with pests in your succulents or need professional pest control services, don’t hesitate to contact Palm Coast Pest Control. Our expert technicians offer comprehensive pest control solutions for both residential and commercial properties, protecting your home and garden from pests year-round. Pest control in White City, FL is just a call away!
