What Bugs Are Killing My Jade & Aloe Plants?

Scale

• Small infestations of scale are irritating, but large infestations can cause parts of your plant to die, notes Colorado State University. Both jade and aloe plants can get scale. Young insects fly or crawl around the plant, but when they mature they settle down in one spot and suck sap from the inside of the plant's leaves. When they feed, they produce a sticky white substance called honeydew that is easy to see. Treat scale by swabbing the plant leaves with rubbing alcohol or spraying with horticultural oil or insecticidal spray.

Snails

• Plants kept outdoors (or even moved outdoors for summer) are susceptible to snail attack. These slow-moving mollusks enjoy eating the soft leaves of aloe and jade but they will even attack spiny cacti. Snail-infested plants will show large chunks missing; seriously infested plants can wither and die. Check pots for snails before bringing them back inside, and check outdoor plants regularly if you live in an area prone to snails. Pluck snails off by hand and dispose of them for best control.

Mealybugs

• Mealybugs enjoy jade and cactus plants, according to Colorado State University. These plant pests cause wilting and dieback of plant parts and may cause black mold to develop, so your plant appears severely sickened. Mealybugs also produce honeydew; this honeydew molds over time. The young bugs crawl around the plant or may spread to other plants. Control mealybugs by swabbing with alcohol or spraying with an insecticide containing pyrethrins.

Aphids

• Like some other succulent pests, aphids produce a sticky white honeydew. These pests cause wilting and dieback of plant parts and may cause new growth to develop in a distorted manner. They pierce the inside of the succulent leaves to feed on the sap. Aphids are difficult to control, but may be removed by spraying or washing the leaves with water and by using pyrethrin insecticides.