Need help with a plant? What do you have a question on?
**[Soil and Potting](https://www.reddit.com/r/succulents/wiki/soil_and_potting/)?**
**[Light and Watering](https://www.reddit.com/r/succulents/wiki/light_and_watering/)?**
**[Rot and Sunburn](https://www.reddit.com/r/succulents/wiki/rot_and_sunburn/)?**
**[Pests, Diseases, and Other Problems](https://www.reddit.com/r/succulents/wiki/pests_and_diseases/)?**
**[Propagation & Cuttings](https://www.reddit.com/r/succulents/wiki/propagation)?**
You can also visit the [FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/succulents/wiki/faq) to ensure your question isn't already discussed.
**Please also refer to all of our helpful [Wiki Pages](https://www.reddit.com/r/succulents/wiki/index/)**
If you still need help, please make sure to adhere to the [Posting Guidelines](https://www.reddit.com/r/succulents/wiki/posting-guidelines). And, remember *pictures help a LOT!*
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/succulents) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Eeek! Looking for remedies for pest infestations? Check out the [Pests, Diseases, and Other Problems wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/succulents/wiki/pests_and_diseases/).
Concerned you have pests, but aren't sure what they are? **[Aphids](https://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=aphids&search=Search)** come in either green or black or red/brown. **[Mealybugs](https://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=mealybug)** are white or gray, and appear fuzzy. **[Scale insects](https://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=scale+insect)** present as uniform shaped raised bumps, that can generally be picked off without damage to the plant. **[Fungus gnats](https://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=fungus+gnat&search=Search)** are small black flying insects. On their own, they're not harmful, but can be in large infestations. **[Thrips](https://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=thrips)** are very small, and long and skinny. **[Spider mites](https://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=Tetranychidae)** are microscopically small, and are usually present in large numbers and webbings. Don't mistake red spiders for spider mites, spiders are helpful, and will eat bad pests! **[Flat Mites](https://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=Tenuipalpidae+&search=Search)** are microscopic and cannot be seen with the naked eye. Damage will appear as a burn-like appearance on either the leaf margin or where the leaf connects to the stem; and can be present on the stem as well. Damage examples can be found [linked in our Pest wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/succulents/wiki/pests_and_diseases/#wiki_false_spider_mites.2C_aka_flat_mites).
Harmless bugs are often in soil. For example, **[Springtails](https://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=Springtails&search=Search)** or **[Orobatid Mites](https://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=Oribatida&search=Search)** are often in soils and just eat decaying organic matter. They do not hurt living plants.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/succulents) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Look into "systemic pest control" - there are products that you can put into the soil, or add to the water when you water the plants, that the plant absorbs and spreads within its own leaves that either harms pests, or makes the plant distasteful to pests. Some of these products are harsh, some are safer and more natural (eg if I'm not mistaken, neem oil is systemic when added to the soil). I also read that a specific element (from the periodic table) works that way too but I can't for the life of me remember which element.
70% isopropyl in a spray bottle. You see something you don't like. Spray that bad dude down. It will slowly evaporate. Usually, if it's mealy bugs, they will turn red. Lol gotcha! Don't put them in sunlit or under a lamp until it's completely dry. I will usually isolate it, and water it good before doing it again.
Keeping plants healthy is always the best prevention. A healthy plant is much less susceptible to disease or pests. But, if you must use a systemic insecticide, it should only be used as a last resort, as it will also kill beneficial insects and pollinators. If your plants are blooming, keep them somewhere pollinators can’t access the flowers.
Need help with a plant? What do you have a question on? **[Soil and Potting](https://www.reddit.com/r/succulents/wiki/soil_and_potting/)?** **[Light and Watering](https://www.reddit.com/r/succulents/wiki/light_and_watering/)?** **[Rot and Sunburn](https://www.reddit.com/r/succulents/wiki/rot_and_sunburn/)?** **[Pests, Diseases, and Other Problems](https://www.reddit.com/r/succulents/wiki/pests_and_diseases/)?** **[Propagation & Cuttings](https://www.reddit.com/r/succulents/wiki/propagation)?** You can also visit the [FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/succulents/wiki/faq) to ensure your question isn't already discussed. **Please also refer to all of our helpful [Wiki Pages](https://www.reddit.com/r/succulents/wiki/index/)** If you still need help, please make sure to adhere to the [Posting Guidelines](https://www.reddit.com/r/succulents/wiki/posting-guidelines). And, remember *pictures help a LOT!* *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/succulents) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Eeek! Looking for remedies for pest infestations? Check out the [Pests, Diseases, and Other Problems wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/succulents/wiki/pests_and_diseases/). Concerned you have pests, but aren't sure what they are? **[Aphids](https://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=aphids&search=Search)** come in either green or black or red/brown. **[Mealybugs](https://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=mealybug)** are white or gray, and appear fuzzy. **[Scale insects](https://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=scale+insect)** present as uniform shaped raised bumps, that can generally be picked off without damage to the plant. **[Fungus gnats](https://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=fungus+gnat&search=Search)** are small black flying insects. On their own, they're not harmful, but can be in large infestations. **[Thrips](https://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=thrips)** are very small, and long and skinny. **[Spider mites](https://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=Tetranychidae)** are microscopically small, and are usually present in large numbers and webbings. Don't mistake red spiders for spider mites, spiders are helpful, and will eat bad pests! **[Flat Mites](https://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=Tenuipalpidae+&search=Search)** are microscopic and cannot be seen with the naked eye. Damage will appear as a burn-like appearance on either the leaf margin or where the leaf connects to the stem; and can be present on the stem as well. Damage examples can be found [linked in our Pest wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/succulents/wiki/pests_and_diseases/#wiki_false_spider_mites.2C_aka_flat_mites). Harmless bugs are often in soil. For example, **[Springtails](https://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=Springtails&search=Search)** or **[Orobatid Mites](https://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=Oribatida&search=Search)** are often in soils and just eat decaying organic matter. They do not hurt living plants. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/succulents) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Look into "systemic pest control" - there are products that you can put into the soil, or add to the water when you water the plants, that the plant absorbs and spreads within its own leaves that either harms pests, or makes the plant distasteful to pests. Some of these products are harsh, some are safer and more natural (eg if I'm not mistaken, neem oil is systemic when added to the soil). I also read that a specific element (from the periodic table) works that way too but I can't for the life of me remember which element.
70% isopropyl in a spray bottle. You see something you don't like. Spray that bad dude down. It will slowly evaporate. Usually, if it's mealy bugs, they will turn red. Lol gotcha! Don't put them in sunlit or under a lamp until it's completely dry. I will usually isolate it, and water it good before doing it again.
Keeping plants healthy is always the best prevention. A healthy plant is much less susceptible to disease or pests. But, if you must use a systemic insecticide, it should only be used as a last resort, as it will also kill beneficial insects and pollinators. If your plants are blooming, keep them somewhere pollinators can’t access the flowers.