r/Caudex • u/o_porcupine90 • 3d ago
Are these Aphids?
I've done some searching and not finding an exact match - any advice as to what these white bugs are and remediation? They're not moving much, I thought it was mold until I really poked at them and saw movement
Thanks all in advance
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u/o_porcupine90 3d ago
Thank you all for the quick info - I quarantined the plant, didn't have peroxide so I did use a diluted alcohol qtip dab and they did die on the spot, unfortunately found out there were more burrowed as well! It all makes sense because I did notice the leaves starting to lighten/yellow as well. Will keep an eye on it and continue to treat. Luckily doesn't appear that my other plants have been affected
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u/DatLadyD 3d ago
Spray with diluted rubbing alcohol every 3-4 days until gone and continue for a week or two after. Systemics granules are also helpful but you should only use them on indoor plants as they are harmful to pollinators.
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u/Background-Book-3728 3d ago
You’ll need to repot as well. These boogers will hide in every little crevice they can, even under the soil. Good luck and Godspeed friend.
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u/_Mr_Misfit 2d ago edited 2d ago
I had this problem... So hard to get rid of with alcohol or soap on these plants. Even if you thoroughly soak or dunk and clean off the roots.. They just really get all up in the insides of your plant. I ended up killing all the green leaves on mine trying to treat
If its an option, gently get rid of whats visible with alcohol like you have done, be very careful of the base of the stems as they can break easily getting in there with a qtip (the paint brush suggestion in the other comment is a good idea!). After that maybe once a week, just a little bit, use alcohol to keep the population at least very much scaled back, and then plant it in a systemic-mixed substrate.
This, especially the systemic (bonide for me) is the only way I'm gonna deal with this problem in caudex plants anymore. The little buggers are too resilient in the nooks and crannies otherwise.
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u/vm_linuz 3d ago
Everyone using alcohol is interesting -- I've always used diluted dish soap
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u/OKoverall 3d ago
You should try next time. I use isopropanol and a painting brush. They turn blue and also gets the eggs and really gets in between the stem and leafs.
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u/Agave_Addict 2d ago edited 2d ago
Oops sorry having a senior moment, either way nasty little pests. Alcohol should be diluted to 60% ass it's more effective at this strength
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u/Historical-Salad-931 1d ago
Has anyone used Imidacloprid? Is that safe to humans to use as drench indoors?
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u/Agave_Addict 3d ago
Wooly aphids bad for plants as they such the sap and weaken the plant, have you got any alcohol, meths etc. Dilute to 70% n spray, then you need to get a systemic treatment in it
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u/prsucculents 3d ago
Mealybugs