How to Get Rid of Mealy Bugs on Cactus & Roots

Above Ground

• 1

  Put on thick, leather gloves guarding against injury from the sharp spines on the cactus.

• 2

  Remove the mealybugs from the cactus by working them loose with a toothpick or skewer. If you can’t get them loose without damaging the plant, rub them with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol to kill them and try again.

• 3

  Spraying the cactus with insecticidal soap kills immature mealybugs.

• 4

  Repeat the process as often as you see mealybugs on the cactus. It may take up to 14 days to completely eradicate the insect.

Roots

• 5

  Spread newspaper on your work surface to make cleanup easier.

• 6

  Running a knife around the pot’s inside loosens the plant. Hold onto the pot rather than the plant to avoid injuring the cactus.

• 7

  Slide the cactus out of the pot and onto the newspaper.

• 8

  Scrub the pot with soap and water. Rinse the pot thoroughly with generous amounts of water.

• 9

  Remove the soil from the roots and dispose of it. Shaking the plant gently removes most of the soil. Use your hands to brush off additional soil left clinging to the roots.

• 10

  Repot the cactus with fresh potting soil. Use a soil mixture designed for cacti to ensure proper drainage.

• 11

  Take the plant outside and drench the soil with an insecticide containing carbaryl.