Question
Hi Melissa. I hope you can help me. I have some sort of invader or infection inside my aloe plant leaves and no idea what it is. Inside the leaves are tiny little pods. They're grey, oval shaped, about 1/4 - 1/3 inch long and always appear to grow in pairs, one on each side nearer the edges of most leaf sections I cut off, especially near the leaf base. I noticed the aloe gel smelled differently (slightly acrid) and later noticed these pods. Plant is 5 years old, indoors and I'm in Toronto Canada.
Plant has leaves about 2 feet long now. The bottom leaves are spreading horizontally. I cut sections off bottom leaves, about 3 inches at a time, and use it for shaving gel/cream. Works great but I have stopped since I noticed the pods and slight 'off' smell. Everything else appears normal to me. Any idea what this is?

Answer
Dear Randy, There are very few actual pests that bother aloe vera, and none are invasive as you describe.  I believe what you are describing is a bacterial infection that is quite common to aloe plants, and it tends to be more active around areas that have been cut or damaged, or in colder or wetter growing situations.  The best way to get rid of it is to completely cut it off of the plant, making sure to sterilize your scissors or pruning shears in between cuts.  This is very important in order to prevent the bacteria from spreading.  Also, when making new cuts on the plant be sure to sterilize your equipment before and after to prevent new infections.  Keep the plant a little dryer in the meantime as this will also help eliminate any residual bacteria.  This should fix the problem, if not, a little antibacterial powder on the ends of cuts would be ok.  One more suggestion would be to cut off an entire leaf at a time and use that leaf in sections until it is time to cut off a fresh leaf.  Good luck.  Melissa