I have been fighting mealy bugs on my cactus this winter...I spot spray with 90% alcohol and that has certainly helped but can't seem to get rid of them entirely. Anyone have any other suggestions on getting rid of these pests?

We have a thread dedicated to pest problems, maybe check that out for more ideas ...

The thread "Succulent Pests & Diseases" in Cactus and Succulents forum

I have intermittent issues with mealy bugs and a few things come to mind. Often one treatment is not sufficient to resolve the problem, because presumably there are little tiny ones that you can't see, like offspring of the large adults you have seen, that need to be eliminated as well. So I would go with a weekly treatment of the main surfaces, and use dilute soapy water (eg. the Safer product) instead of alcohol because it tends to be kinder on the skin of small plants when you ramp up the frequency. Whenever you do use alcohol, dilute it to 70%, and probably get a better effect.

So start by physically removing all the bugs you can see and reach (subtract them and their nests from the situation). Then do the spot spray (ideally spray the whole plant) and follow up with a drizzle on the nearby surfaces a few days to a week later. Repeat as necessary, or more than you might think is necessary. Don't do this to plants in the sun (or move them to a protected area after you spray). The product only works in the liquid phase, and you want to allow that some time to work before it all evaporates.

And it's hard to stress enough how important the simple act of vigilance (like regular careful inspection once you know a plant is vulnerable) makes a huge difference in keeping these things from spiraling out of control.

Baja_Costero said: We have a thread dedicated to pest problems, maybe check that out for more ideas ...

The thread "Succulent Pests & Diseases" in Cactus and Succulents forum

I have intermittent issues with mealy bugs and a few things come to mind. Often one treatment is not sufficient to resolve the problem, because presumably there are little tiny ones that you can't see, like offspring of the large adults you have seen, that need to be eliminated as well. So I would go with a weekly treatment of the main surfaces, and use dilute soapy water (eg. the Safer product) instead of alcohol because it tends to be kinder on the skin of small plants when you ramp up the frequency. Whenever you do use alcohol, dilute it to 70%, and probably get a better effect.

So start by physically removing all the bugs you can see and reach (subtract them and their nests from the situation). Then do the spot spray (ideally spray the whole plant) and follow up with a drizzle on the nearby surfaces a few days to a week later. Repeat as necessary, or more than you might think is necessary. Don't do this to plants in the sun (or move them to a protected area after you spray). The product only works in the liquid phase, and you want to allow that some time to work before it all evaporates.

And it's hard to stress enough how important the simple act of vigilance (like regular careful inspection once you know a plant is vulnerable) makes a huge difference in keeping these things from spiraling out of control.

Baja_Costero thank you for this good information!...have seen the Safer stuff but haven't used it, so I will try that. This particular cactus is fairly large and old and I have been treating it for most of the winter as it's been in the house, but as you can see from the picture, the little furry critters are pretty resistant so far! Thanks also for the link to the thread in the forum...very helpful!

Advice based on the picture: Get an old toothbrush, dip it in dilute soapy water (or 70% alcohol), and run it down the space in between the ribs where the bugs are hanging out, so that you can remove them and get a clean start. Some cacti are too spiny to do this, but yours looks like a good candidate.

I like to use this kind of painting brush, as it can reach the inside, and the "hair" is soft, less harm to the plant

Or a Q-tip. I buy the generic store brand with paper stick instead of plastic so they can be composted.

yes, thank you all...have used the alcohol spray and brush throughout the winter....got some of the Safer spray and that seems to have knocked out the last of the problem, although I will keep monitoring just in case. Great product...thanks for the tip!