I just noticed this white stuff of my cactus. Does anyone know what it is? Would neem oil help get rid of whatever the white stuff is?
I just noticed this white stuff of my cactus. Does anyone know what it is? Would neem oil help get rid of whatever the white stuff is?
It has been raining the past few days and dont think it had this stuff before that. It fell over with the rain and wind. Which is when we noticed the white stuff.
0 Mi piaceCould be mealy bugs!
1 mi piace
It’s probably a cochineal bug. Basically a type of mealy bug that specializes in opuntia. Fun fact - cochineal bugs are used to make a food grade red dye. Well, maybe more of a gross fact 🤢🤢🤢
6 Mi piace😲😲😲 ewww!!! But thats interesting.
0 Mi piaceThey produce that fabulously vibrant carmine red! It’s used everywhere in artist paints, cosmetics and in foods as ‘natural dye 4.’ The dye is very stable in foods and has good shelf life without the cancer causing ingredients and inability to degrade like some synthetic dyes. It’s the red in red velvet cake mix, skittles, yogurts and red/pink juices. 😁
2 Mi piace
Mmmmmmm red skittles
0 Mi piaceDefinitely cochineal bugs. You could use neem or alcohol on a tip to wipe them off.
5 Mi piaceThanks!
0 Mi piace