How to Get Rid of Cactus Pests: A Simple Guide

There’s nothing quite as disheartening for a plant parent than discovering uninvited guests on your cactus. These resilient plants are tough, but they’re not immune to tiny pests that can cause big problems. The good news is that with early detection and the right cactus plant flea treatment, you can easily send those pests packing.

This straightforward guide will help you identify the most common cactus pests and show you the safest ways to eliminate them, using items you probably already have at home.

Meet the Usual Suspects: Identifying Common Cactus Pests

Before you start treatment, it’s helpful to know what you’re up against. Here are the three most frequent offenders:

1. Mealybugs: These are the most common cactus pests. They look like tiny, white, fluffy cotton balls that cluster in the crevices, at the base of spines, and on new growth. They suck sap, weakening the plant and excreting a sticky substance called honeydew.

2. Scale Insects: Scale can be trickier to spot because they look like small, brown, tan, or white bumps stuck directly to the cactus skin. They don’t look like bugs at first glance—they have a hard, shell-like covering. Like mealybugs, they are sap-suckers.

3. Spider Mites: These are tiny, nearly invisible pests, but the signs they leave are clear. Look for fine, silky webbing between the spines or on the plant’s body. The cactus may also take on a dull, bruised, or rusty appearance.

Your Step-by-Step Battle Plan

The key to success is acting quickly. Follow these steps to reclaim your cactus.

Step 1: Isolate the Plant

Immediately move your infested cactus away from your other healthy plants. This is Pest Control 101—it prevents the problem from spreading.

Step 2: The Initial Clean-Up

For light infestations of mealybugs and scale, a simple physical removal can work wonders.

• What you need: Cotton swabs (Q-tips), a soft toothbrush, and 70% isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol).

• What to do: Dip the cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and dab it directly on each pest. The alcohol dissolves their waxy coating and kills them on contact. For larger clusters or stubborn scale, use the soft toothbrush dipped in alcohol to gently scrub them away.

Step 3: Treat with a Natural Spray

For more widespread issues or for cactus plant flea spider mites, a spray treatment is your best bet.

• The Alcohol Spray: Mix one part 70% isopropyl alcohol with three parts water in a spray bottle. Add a few drops of mild liquid soap (like Castile soap) to help the solution stick to the plant. Shake well and spray the entire cactus, ensuring you get into every nook and cranny.

• The Neem Oil Solution: Neem oil is a powerful, natural insecticide. Mix 1 teaspoon of neem oil and ½ teaspoon of mild liquid soap into 1 liter of warm water. Shake vigorously and spray thoroughly. Neem oil works by disrupting the pests’ hormonal systems, stopping them from feeding and reproducing.

Important Tip: Whether using alcohol or neem oil, always test the spray on a small, inconspicuous part of the cactus first and wait 24 hours to ensure it doesn’t cause damage. To prevent sunburn, treat your cactus in the evening or move it to a shaded spot.

Step 4: Repeat and Be Patient

Pest control is rarely a one-and-done job. Eggs can hatch days after your first treatment. Repeat your chosen spray treatment every 5-7 days for at least 3-4 weeks to break the life cycle and ensure you’ve eradicated every last pest.

Step 5: Don’t Forget the Soil

Some pests, like mealybugs, can lay eggs in the soil. After treating the plant itself, you can lightly water the soil with a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution (1 part 3% hydrogen peroxide to 4 parts water) to kill any eggs lurking below the surface.