Home >> Science & Nature >> Insects & Science

How to Identify Meal Bugs on Cacti

Cacti are relatively easy to grow, since you don't have to water them often. However, it takes more than a little water every now and then to keep cacti alive. To raise healthy cacti, you have to protect them from predators like meal bugs. Follow these steps to identify meal bugs before they damage your cacti.

Instructions

- 1
  Look for a 5 mm pest that is pink and round. An adult meal bug can look like a small pink pea.
- 2
  Watch for smaller insects. If you have crawlers, they will be smaller than 1 mm. Crawlers are the smallest creatures in the meal bug life cycle.
- 3
  Check for a white wax secretion, which is an indicator that meal bugs have made themselves comfortable and plan to stay awhile.
- 4
  Keep a close eye on the shallower portion of the soil, where meal bugs are generally found.
- 5
  Look at the whole plant. You will notice widespread damage to your cacti rather than changes in isolated spots.

Insects & Science