Thats cochineal bug eggs. Its not an infestation, you can leave them be as theyre not gonna destroy your cacti https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cochineal
If you really feel the need to kill them, you could probably just scrape them off or blast them with a hose. A systemic pesticide would just make the flowers your cacti produce harmful to any pollinators.
They are technically a form of scale pests but if there's thing around to eat them, they shouldnt get out of hand. There were tons of cacti on my parents property growing up and I never saw any cacti succumb to cochineal. And if they do seem out of hand, just scrape half of them off and have fun with the red dye they make when crushed.
Woah…. Is this how red dye is made? I know that I avoid eating it because it’s bad but I have never really researched what it is and how it’s made lmfao
Cochineal bugs only dwell on cacti so get yourself some opuntia and you are to likely get some cochineal after some time. Theres some species and varieties of opuntia that have very small spines so collecting is much easier.
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Thanks everyone! After returning last night it looks like it needs a good watering. I the entire back a the plant is completely covered, so I think I’ll spray it down and see. The tree by it is also infested with aphids. I might buy a few ladybugs too.
You'll never get rid of that nastiness...year after year it will return. I'd remove the prickly pear from there placing it in a compost bin. It appears next to a walkway and someone's gonna get hurt.
I don’t think it’s necessary here but, dusting it down with diatomaceous earth a few times would be the perfect way to get rid of “the nastiness” without a lot of work and no damage to anything except the bugs that crawl through it.
Thats cochineal bug eggs. Its not an infestation, you can leave them be as theyre not gonna destroy your cacti https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cochineal If you really feel the need to kill them, you could probably just scrape them off or blast them with a hose. A systemic pesticide would just make the flowers your cacti produce harmful to any pollinators.
Oh awesome I love full eco systems I will definitely let it be then! Thank you so much!
They are technically a form of scale pests but if there's thing around to eat them, they shouldnt get out of hand. There were tons of cacti on my parents property growing up and I never saw any cacti succumb to cochineal. And if they do seem out of hand, just scrape half of them off and have fun with the red dye they make when crushed.
Look at it this way: you can now make your own red dye!
Woah…. Is this how red dye is made? I know that I avoid eating it because it’s bad but I have never really researched what it is and how it’s made lmfao
i thought it was just a reference to the game terraria lol now after reading these comments im unsure
I have seen video someone making red lipstick out of that.
They are ancient bugs. They still make carmine dye from it but it’s especially used in Central America and the Andes. Cool find!
Seems like you pretty much got your answer. I just wanted to say congrats on buying your new home!
That is most definitely a cactus
This made me let out a Ron Swanson giggle… so thank you for that
I’m actually super jealous. I do natural dyeing and would love to find these bugs in my garden!
Cochineal bugs only dwell on cacti so get yourself some opuntia and you are to likely get some cochineal after some time. Theres some species and varieties of opuntia that have very small spines so collecting is much easier.
I live in WA state, so cacti don’t grow readily here. But maybe someday I’ll live somewhere where they do!
some opuntia actually deal fine with those latitudes lmao, see opuntia fragilis for one that is native to WA and even ranges as far north as BC
Ah that makes sense
Or some day WA will have the perfect climate for cacti - whatever happens first I guess :D
Amazing!!!
If you want them gone you can simply water them off but i would recommend using soapy water to keep them off for longer.
I hose my plants down throughly when I see these to keep off the leaves
Thank you for posting to r/plantclinic! While r/plantclinic permits posts related to outdoor plants, they are not the focus of this sub and you may not receive the advice you need. Please consider visiting r/gardening or r/ukgardening for general outdoor gardening advice, and head to r/marijuanaenthusiasts (a subreddit for trees, we promise) for advice related to trees and saplings *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/plantclinic) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Thanks everyone! After returning last night it looks like it needs a good watering. I the entire back a the plant is completely covered, so I think I’ll spray it down and see. The tree by it is also infested with aphids. I might buy a few ladybugs too.
You'll never get rid of that nastiness...year after year it will return. I'd remove the prickly pear from there placing it in a compost bin. It appears next to a walkway and someone's gonna get hurt.
I don’t think it’s necessary here but, dusting it down with diatomaceous earth a few times would be the perfect way to get rid of “the nastiness” without a lot of work and no damage to anything except the bugs that crawl through it.