Cochineal Eradication / Mealybug Scale

Cochineal Scale usually appears on Prickly pears and chollas, but can attack other cacti. It looks like white sticky mounds. Inside are cochineal bugs -- if crushed, a purple die exudes. To kill, use a hose end sprayer or a hand carried pump sprayer to apply a combination of insecticide and insecticidal soap. Either triazide, Seven Insecticide or Malathion is effective in killing the scale. If mixed with soap, Neem Oil or dormant oil spay, the insecticide is more effective. Follow the directions on the label. Be carefull not to burn up the plants by spraying oils on hot, sunny days.  Oil are best used during winter. cool months, use cautiously during warm weather. Cacti have tough skins, but can be cooked with too much oil.

You can substitute liquid dish soap for the insecticidal soap, but dish soap is not as effective. If you don't want to use a pesticide, the soap and oil do kill the scan, but more treatments may be necessary. Set power sprayer on 1 or 2 oz. per gallon depending on the portains used in the mix and hose off the scale. This should kill the scale within 7-14 days. If the scale still has purple die after 14 - 30 days, spray again.

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