---
title: "Hi everyone! My opuntia has grown like crazy in the last 3-1/2…"
description: "Hi everyone! My opuntia has grown like crazy in the last 3-1/2 months, but I’m noticing white patches on her. Some is fuzzy and can be removed with a q-tip,…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/vOLjreBcQ-OpqrHIhVSc4w/64ff617b5c8bcb7beb4bf5b9?language=fr"
community: "The Cactus & Succulent Circle"
author: "tattooedbimbo"
published: "2023-09-11T18:50:35.851Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/lK3gOo5LMtyoAuhf3VFLkefxCWoWyY8QrqZBd05tGSA/f65aa152a0744545a91ae247635343f4.webp?size=large"
---

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# Hi everyone! My opuntia has grown like crazy in the last 3-1/2…

_Publié par tattooedbimbo le 2023-09-11_

Hi everyone! My opuntia has grown like crazy in the last 3-1/2 months, but I’m noticing white patches on her. Some is fuzzy and can be removed with a q-tip, but some other parts (pictured here) is more hard to remove. Is this harmful, despite the big growth this summer? If so, any remedies? I currently have neem oil at home, but can get whatever is necessary. Thanks and have a great day!

![Pièce jointe 1 sur 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/lK3gOo5LMtyoAuhf3VFLkefxCWoWyY8QrqZBd05tGSA/f65aa152a0744545a91ae247635343f4.webp?size=large)

## 10 commentaires

### Sunny a commenté le 2023-09-12

It’s a very large invasion of mealy bugs, the fuzzy ones, and/or thrips!  
There are so many it may be quicker to spray them off with a hose and treat the remaining with neem oil at least once a week until they are gone. It won’t be quick.

#### tattooedbimbo ha respondido el 2023-09-12

Thank you for your advice! I can only wonder where they came from… but quite happy to hose them off in my tub! Unfortunately no outdoor space in my apartment building.

### DanishGramma a commenté le 2023-09-12

I’ve heard to use rubbing alcohol on a Q-tip is the best way to kill the little basters and neem oil for prevention. I personally mix neem with alcohol and pure Castile soap in a spray bottle. I received a ficus full of thrips from a famous grower on YouTube

#### tattooedbimbo ha respondido el 2023-09-12

Oh no, I hate to hear the same thing happened to you. I also received this full of bugs, but I didn’t realize that’s what they were and luckily my other plants are safe since this lives isolated in a corner. Thank you for the advice! May we both stop getting buggy plants from reputable sources :)

### Mon a commenté le 2023-09-13

They look like scale too me, but not sure. If they are mealy bugs, I usually spray 70% alcohol directly on the succulents. Let it dry, and then wipe off. You will need to repeat 1 x a week for at least 2 weeks.

### Hey a commenté le 2023-09-15

This is a pumpkin

![Pièce jointe 1 sur 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/PlA5BjTPgBiVfVFkSbMdG9KBmlALlzO31_JLw1npG40/7b3ee29d3dd04c2180d4d107f43a013d.webp?size=large)

#### Mon ha respondido el 2023-10-20

That’s a mining worm. Best thing to do is cut off the infested leaves and trow them away…far away! You van also try neem oil

### Dave\_opuntiaface a commenté le 2023-11-05

I watched a video where, after all the alcohol treatment (I demand to be covered in alcohol if I’m ever covered in bugs), the owner legit used a power hose on the plant. I watched said video to figure out if a three-inch plant was worth saving. I just pictured me turning on the hose and the plant flies across the yard. Anyway, have you had success after this?

#### tattooedbimbo ha respondido el 2023-11-05

I actually have! The alcohol, shooting with water, and need oil have conquered the vast majority of this problem. I’m in for the long haul!

#### Dave\_opuntiaface ha respondido el 2023-11-08

Awesome! The one I had would have disintegrated under a hose.

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