Tiny Black or Blue Insects on My Succulent
Succulents are often used as indoor plants as well as outside in the yard or garden. While these plants are usually hardy, they are susceptible to a variety of insects that can cause damage to the health and appearance of the plant. Spider mites and fungus gnats are two common succulent pests that are black. Does this Spark an idea?
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Types
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Fungus gnats are not common pests of succulents, but do infest succulents grown indoors as houseplants on occasion. Most fungus gnat infestations result from overwatering of houseplants, as these pests thrive in wet soil. Fungus gnats are small black flies that develop in the soil of plants, including succulents. The larvae of fungus gnats live in the soil of infested plants and feed on matter in the soil until they mature into adult fungus gnats. Spider mites are pests of succulents grown indoors as well as outdoors. These pests are not true insects, but are a type of spider. Spider mites are black, red, green or brown and are very tiny. Heavy infestations of spider mites can kill host plants if left untreated.
Symptoms
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Fungus gnats are often seen swarming in windows because they are attracted to light. The larvae live in the potting soil, where they feed. These white worms feed on plant roots and leaves in the soil of the host plant. Fungus gnats can be difficult to control because they have a short life cycle of only seven to 10 days, allowing them to reproduce rapidly. These pests do not usually kill large plants, but can damage young succulents severely. Spider mites often spin a silk webbing they place on the leaves of host plants, which is a symptom of a large mite population. Succulents with spider mite infestations may suffer from feeding injuries such as speckled plant leaves and faded plant color. Spider mites gather and feed underneath plant leaves.
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Cultural Control
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Avoid overwatering your succulent, as this increases the development of fungus gnats. Clear your pot of leaf litter and debris to avoid insect infestations. Consider placing new plants in quarantine for seven days before putting them inside your home with your other plants. Inspect the plant each day for signs of insect infestations. Hanging yellow sticky traps near your infested succulent can trap adult gnats while flying. Spider mites are easily knocked from succulents by spraying the plant with a strong jet of water every two or three days. Take your plant outside and use the garden hose or place it in the shower and rinse.
Chemical Control
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You can control heavy infestations of fungus gnats with the chemical imidacloprid, which is applied as a soil drench to kill the larvae before they pupate into adult gnats. Imidacloprid is available in granules or spikes for fungus gnat larvae control. Aerosol sprays for flying pests can help keep adult fungus gnats low in number. Heavy infestations of spider mites often require chemical control products to prevent further damage to your plants. Horticultural oils are soft insecticides that may reduce infestations. Miticides are also available for spider mite control.
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References
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