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Mealybugs on a Child's Cactus: Safe Alcohol-Soap Spray

Young Grower's Problem: White Bits on 7-cm Cactus

Samson (9, Canberra, Australia) has a cactus on a sunny windowsill. Little white bits appearing—asked for fix.

Expert ID: Mealybugs

Will Creed: White fuzzy coating = mealybugs. Young ones nearly invisible; adults attach, grow protective fuzz, lay eggs, suck sap.

Safe Treatment

Spray bottle: 5 parts water, 1 part isopropyl alcohol, squirt of dish soap. Thoroughly spray entire plant until dripping. Complete coverage essential—missed bugs multiply. Repeat as needed.

Free Article

Will offers plant pest article via email: wcreed@HorticulturalHelp.com.

House Plants: Ornamental Cactus Crown Rot: Surgical Removal and Cultural Correction; Identifying and Caring for Kalanchoe Daigremontiana: The Mother of Thousands; Rescuing a Massive 6-Foot Euphorbia: Division, Repotting, and Outdoor Summering; Christmas Cactus (Zygocactus) Outdoors and Repotting Advice; Epiphyllum (Orchid Cactus) Identification and Blooming Tips; Myrtle Topiary White Fungus: Likely Mealybugs; Overwintering Hibiscus Indoors: Powdery Mildew & Pruning; Controlling Whiteflies on Poinsettia and the Photoperiod Secret for Reblooming; Identifying a Cotyledon Succulent: Care Tips for Your Clearance Find; Cactus Plants: Low-Maintenance Succulents for Dry Indoor Air

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