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Pests
Scale Insects on Cacti
Commonly affects: Cactaceae (Cactus)
Small, immobile brown or tan bumps attach to the cactus body, secreting honeydew and weakening the plant over time.
Potential Causes
- 1Scale insects establishing on the cactus surface
- 2Introduction from a nearby infested plant
- 3Stressed plants being more susceptible
Solution Steps
- 1Scrape off visible scale by hand or with a soft brush for light infestations
- 2Apply horticultural oil or insecticidal soap, ensuring thorough coverage
- 3Isolate the affected plant until cleared
- 4Repeat treatment over several weeks, since scale's protective coating makes it resilient to a single application
Prevention Tip
A dormant-season horticultural oil application is an effective preventive treatment for cacti with a history of scale problems.
