
How much and how often should you water succulents?
What Eats Succulent Leaves Mealybugs Caterpillars and worms Long-tailed mealybug Aphids Snails and slugs Red spider mites Thrips White Fly Weevils Grasshoppers Rodents
What is wrong with my succulents?
Nov 15, 2021 · First is rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) or neem oil & soap mixture. Rubbing alcohol 75% is the cheapest yet most effective method against aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites. Simply spray the succulents thoroughly and leave it there. You will notice the bug starts turning brown, which means they’re dead.
How often should you water your succulents?
What's eating my succulents leaves? Mealybugs are nasty little bugs that like to eat new growth on succulents. As they move, they eat away at the succulent. Often, this will stunt the growth of the plant and cause the new growth to look mis-shaped or smaller than usual. They may also leave some dents in the leaves if they are left for too long.
What are succulents and why should you get them?

What is eating the leaves on my succulent?
So what eats succulent leaves? The list varies depending on where in the world you are, but the most common animals that eat succulents around the world are aphids, mealy bugs, caterpillars, grasshoppers, snails and slugs.Mar 1, 2022
How do I keep bugs from eating my succulents?
Preventative Tips To Keep Pests AwayRemove dead leaves, so bugs don't have a place to breed and hide. ... Aim to keep your succulents dry. ... Don't reuse soil or put dead leaves from infected plants into the compost pile.Keep your succulents strong during growing season by using a mild and balanced fertilizer.Apr 20, 2018
How do you get rid of pests on succulents?
First is rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) or neem oil & soap mixture. Rubbing alcohol 75% is the cheapest yet most effective method against aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites. Simply spray the succulents thoroughly and leave it there. You will notice the bug starts turning brown, which means they're dead.
What bug is eating my succulent plants?
There are two groups of scales that commonly attack succulents: the armored scale and the soft scale insects. If you see small, brown bumps on your succulent, then you may have a scale problem. These insects like to eat the sap of succulents, damaging the plants and making them susceptible to diseases.
Can you spray succulents with insecticide?
Insecticides like pyrethroids and natural, organic insecticide sprays such as neem oil or horticultural oil may also be effective. Be sure to read and follow the directions on the label of any product you choose to make sure it's safe for use on your succulents.
Is insecticidal soap safe for succulents?
Insecticidal soap– an effective solution Insecticidal soap is highly effective on pests like aphids, mealybugs, scales that feed on the healthy stem of your succulents. Many gardeners prefer using this as it is fast and highly effective, and consider it one of the Best Pesticides and Insecticides for Your Succulents.
Why does my succulent have bugs?
Although most problems associated with cacti and succulents grown as houseplants are bacterial or fungal diseases caused by overwatering, they do get the occasional insect pest. The most common pests are scale, mealy bugs and root mealy bugs. Less common pests include spider mites and fungus gnats.
How do I keep bugs from eating my plants?
One of the best ways you can fight this pest off is by regularly misting the leaves to keep them moist. You should also dust and clean the leaves often to prevent these mites from laying eggs on them. For extreme cases, try a homemade bug spray made of water and neem oil for indoor plants.Sep 21, 2020
Can I spray neem oil on succulents?
Applying neem oil to succulents is the same as adding any other type of pesticide. You simply spray the leaves with the treatment and follow up within a week or two. The only difference is that this pesticide is not ready-made for you. You must dilute it with a little water and soap first using this recipe.
1. Birds
Birds eat succulent leaves out of curiosity, as well as the nutrition and extra water they can get from them, especially if they are nesting nearby. They could also be pecking, biting and eating the leaves to bury nuts and seeds in the soil.
2. Squirrels and other rodents like rats
Squirrels and other rodents eat succulent leaves and they are notorious for digging through gardens and yards. They chew and eat the leaves, uproot the plants and dig holes that they would fill with their favorite food.
3. Other animals like possums, cats and deer
Possums, cats and deer tend to eat succulent leaves, especially if they are hungry or thirsty. Possums are omnivorous and like to eat succulents like Echeveria and Graptopetalum succulents.
4. Bugs
Bugs also like to eat succulent leaves. These small but terrible pests that feast on your plants are aphids and mealybugs. They may not take big chunks off, but they suck on leaves because of the sap, making the leaves deformed and black spots may also appear.
What are the white bugs on succulents?
These are commonly found with leafy succulents. They are small, white, flying insects that reproduce very quickly and can be difficult to control. You can see whiteflies flying from the underside of the leaves when an infested plant is shaken. Like aphids, these insects produce honeydew everywhere on your plant which promote the growth of sooty mold.
Why do succulents have brown spots?
If you see small, brown bumps on your succulent, then you may have a scale problem. These insects like to eat the sap of succulents, damaging the plants and making them susceptible to diseases. Remedy: Remove any visible insects you see from your plant either by hand or by hosing them off.
How to tell if cacti have mealy bugs?
These are one of the most common pests in succulents and cacti. They are tiny, elliptical insects about 2-3 millimeters long, gray or light brown in color. They get their name from a waxy or mealy white material they produce. An early sign your plants have mealybugs is the white cottony substance you see on your plants.
How to get rid of scale on a plant?
If the scale infestation is severe, you need to treat the plant by removing it from the pot. Clean off the soil and wash off the bugs from the roots. Spray the plant with rubbing alcohol or soapy water.
How to get rid of Mealy bugs in pots?
To get rid of them from the roots, you need to treat the plant and remove the it from the pot. Clean off the soil and wash off the bugs from the roots. Spray the plant with rubbing alcohol or soapy water. Some people like to dilute the alcohol with water, about half strength.
How to treat a neem plant?
Dilute 1 tablespoon or 15 ml of neem oil in 8 cups of water and mix well. Spray the solution onto infested areas and the undersides of the leaves. When using neem oil, do so at night to prevent burning your plant from sun damage. Repeat treatment as necessary, about once a week, until the problem is resolved.
How to get rid of sooty mold on plants?
Remedy: Blast the flies off with water to remove some of the flies. Spray the plant with rubbing alcohol diluted in half strength with water.

Birds
Squirrels and Other Rodents Like Rats
- Squirrels and other rodents eat succulent leaves and they are notorious for digging through gardens and yards. They chew and eat the leaves, uproot the plants and dig holes that they would fill with their favorite food. How to determine if squirrels are eating your succulents: You will know that squirrels are eating your plants if you see jagged te...
Other Animals Like Possums, Cats and Deer
- Possums, cats and deer tend to eat succulent leaves, especially if they are hungry or thirsty. Possums are omnivorous and like to eat succulents like Echeveria and Graptopetalum succulents. Cats do not typically eat succulents, but they tend to nibble on it just as they would nibble on grasses. Meanwhile, deer are also attracted to succulents, especially if they are looking for wate…
Bugs
- Bugs also like to eat succulent leaves. These small but terrible pests that feast on your plants are aphids and mealybugs. They may not take big chunks off, but they suck on leaves because of the sap, making the leaves deformed and black spotsmay also appear. They can colonize plants and reproduce quickly and could cause great damage to your succulents. How to determine if aphid…