Succulents are plants that produce thick fleshy leaves, stems, or roots. They are highly drought-resistant plants because their leaves, stems, and roots act as water-storage organs. Though succulents can survive long periods with little or no water, they may still fall prey to various insect pests. Rather than treating your succulents with chemical-based insecticides, try a natural remedy such as garlic bug spray to ward off insect pests.
Succulents are bothered less frequently by insect pests than other houseplants, but certain pests have been known to affect succulents occasionally. Spider mites, for example, sometimes attack succulents and build fine white webs over the affected portion of the plant. These pests multiply rapidly and may damage the plant's skin by piercing it to suck the sap. Scale insects such as mealybugs typically attack Agaves and leaf cacti like Pereskias. These insects lay their eggs in sacks on the leaves of succulents and suck the sap, weakening the plant often to death. Other insect pests likely to attack succulents are root mealybugs, aphids, whiteflies, and fungus gnats.
Recipe
Garlic bug spray is effective against various insect pests, including aphids, whiteflies, and mites. Combine 3 ounces (85 gr) of minced garlic with 1 ounce (30 ml) of mineral oil to create your garlic spray. To increase the efficacy of the mixture, let it steep for 24 hours or longer, then strain out the minced garlic. If you want to increase your homemade bug spray potency further, try mixing the garlic oil with one teaspoon (5 ml) of fish emulsion diluted in 16 ounces (473 ml) of water. Once you have finished mixing your garlic bug spray, store it in a tightly sealed glass jar for up to 2 months.
How to Use
Combine 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of the garlic mixture with 1 pint (473 ml) of water to utilize your homemade garlic spray. The easiest spray application method is to pour the liquid into a handheld spray bottle and spray the mixture liberally over your succulent plants. Spray the underside of the leaves and the tops so the entire plant is protected. To prevent a phytotoxic burn resulting from the toxicity of insecticide sprays, avoid spraying your plants when the temperature is above 80 °F (27 °C).
Preventing Pests
To prevent an infestation of insect pests on your succulent plants, check them frequently and take action quickly if you discover a budding infestation. If you only see a few insects, pick them off by hand and drop them into a cup of soapy water to kill them. Infestations of mealybugs and aphids can be prevented by wiping down the plants with an alcohol-soaked cotton swab once in a while.
Source: sfgate.com
Links
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus