Pest on my plant?

[Nkomo-A-Gogo]

I think my cacti has some kind of pest, i can see little silk pockets full of what i think are eggs. and i can also see some kind of bugs(they look like little weevils or ticks, tiny) on it crawling around.

Ive separated the plant for now but will i have to lose it? i bought it like that with the silky balls on it thinking that it was part of the areoles.

Also what are the chances of my other plants getting affected?they were right next to it for ages but seem to be ok.

[hob]

sounds like it could be mealy bugs, a common pest.

have a look at the pests page

http://www.cactiguide.com/cactipests/#mealybugs

[Nkomo-A-Gogo]

Thanks Hob, looks like mealybugs. they are around the spines of the plant and its quite bare around the top where they are hanging around. so if they are in the spines that might mean the roots are ok?

[hob]

i would check the roots too maybe repot in fresh soil, it won't do any harm. treat the plant with something that will kill mealy bugs. you can get it at garden centres.