Ants and aphids attacking my cactus

6 years ago

SO there is ants In the pot of my cactus. I fear they have made their anthill in it. Also, worst, there is a kind of aphid on the cactus (linked to the ants?!) I don't know what to do to save this poor cactus.

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Comments (4)

Kara 9b SF Bay Area CA
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Eek I see meallybugs! Get some rubbing alcohol and q-tips. Douse the meallies in the rubbing alcohol with the q-tip. Keep this cactus away from other plants. Do the whole rubbing alcohol/q-tip thing until they're gone. I would check the cactus every five days or so. They're all at different life stages so you may miss some the first try.

You could even spray the cactus with rubbing alcohol. Some people dilute the rubbing alcohol with water, but I don't and I've noticed nothing happens to the plant.

The meallybugs produce this sweet nectar that the ants eat. Sometimes ants will even farm these bugs just for this nectar. Gross;).
bloodypompon thanked Kara 9b SF Bay Area CA
socks
6 years ago
Also dump the soil and repot in a fast draining mix like commercial cactus & succulent mix combined 50/50 with perlite or pumice. You can hose off the aphids. Relocate the plant in a new location so ants don't come seeking it again. Transition gradually into full sun. Keep a close eye on it. It should be ok.
bloodypompon thanked socks
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SoCal Stewart (San Diego, Ca Zone 10A/10B)
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Kara, I remember hearing the same thing about aphids and ants. Anybody know if this is true?

Tyler
0
Kara 9b SF Bay Area CA
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Yes ants farm aphids. Weirdos;).

Gross pics from the internet:).

Ant literally eating aphid urine;). Who takes a pic of this? Answer is probably me if I had a good enough camera. Wow I've definitely seen it all now;).

Thought this was kinda funny when I saw it:),

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Ants and aphids attacking my cactus

Comments (4)

Kara 9b SF Bay Area CA

socks

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SoCal Stewart (San Diego, Ca Zone 10A/10B)

Kara 9b SF Bay Area CA

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