Please help.
My large plant (over 10 feet tall) has this bug everywhere. Just a year ago it did not have any of this. I have tried Neem oil but that does not seem to work. I have not tried the water spray due to the location of the plant. I have to wait till the cars in the parking area are gone before i can do that, so I am waiting for that opportunity.
I will try attaching photo- I can not get real close to it due to my handicap but hopefully this will help.
Kathy in Phoenix
Opuntia infested with Cochineal insect
Opuntia infested with Cochineal insect
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- Steve Johnson
- Posts: 4529
- Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2011 4:44 am
- Location: Los Angeles, CA (Zone 10b)
Re: Opuntia infested with Cochineal insect
See this and go to the section on Cochineal insect:
https://www.cactiguide.com/cactipests/#mealybugs
Unfortunately I can't recommend systemic soil soaks for cacti growing in the ground, so IMO the only thing you can do is take a garden hose with a sprayer attachment and blast the Cochineal off with water. Given the size of your Opuntia, I'd say that it'll be pretty much impossible to have it die from Cochineal infestations.
https://www.cactiguide.com/cactipests/#mealybugs
Unfortunately I can't recommend systemic soil soaks for cacti growing in the ground, so IMO the only thing you can do is take a garden hose with a sprayer attachment and blast the Cochineal off with water. Given the size of your Opuntia, I'd say that it'll be pretty much impossible to have it die from Cochineal infestations.
If you just want photos without all the blather, please visit my Flickr gallery.
My location: Los Angeles, CA (Zone 10b)
My location: Los Angeles, CA (Zone 10b)
Re: Opuntia infested with Cochineal insect
Steve, It is reassuring that this little bug will not kill my cactus. It started as bird droppings when I moved into my home 35 years ago so I am rather attached to it. Thinking of getting it trimmed a little. The picture of me standing next to it was 2018 and it towers above me now and is hanging over my patio wall.
I will do the water when my neighbors move there cars-I am hoping soon.
Thank you so much for your imput-
I will do the water when my neighbors move there cars-I am hoping soon.
Thank you so much for your imput-