Pest identification
What's eating my african milk tree?
Mealybugs
Signs: Cottony white clusters in stem angles and at leaf bases; sticky, weak growth
Control: Swab with 70% isopropyl alcohol wearing gloves; apply neem oil spray weekly until clear
Spider mites
Signs: Fine webbing along ribs; pale stippling on the green skin between ribs
Control: Wipe stems with a damp cloth; spray insecticidal soap; move plant to a cooler, more humid spot
Scale insects
Signs: Brown waxy bumps on the lower woody stems; yellowing and loss of vitality
Control: Scrape off with a soft toothbrush dipped in alcohol; treat with horticultural oil
Keep african milk tree pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
African Milk Tree pests — FAQ
What is eating my african milk tree?
African Milk Tree (Euphorbia trigona) is most commonly troubled by mealybugs, which hide in the angles between the ribbed stems and leaves. Spider mites appear in hot dry rooms. Scale can colonise the woody base. The milky latex irritates skin and deters many pests, but sap-feeding insects still attack — inspect monthly and treat with alcohol.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on african milk tree?
Cottony white clusters in stem angles and at leaf bases; sticky, weak growth Swab with 70% isopropyl alcohol wearing gloves; apply neem oil spray weekly until clear
How do I get rid of spider mites on african milk tree?
Fine webbing along ribs; pale stippling on the green skin between ribs Wipe stems with a damp cloth; spray insecticidal soap; move plant to a cooler, more humid spot
How do I get rid of scale insects on african milk tree?
Brown waxy bumps on the lower woody stems; yellowing and loss of vitality Scrape off with a soft toothbrush dipped in alcohol; treat with horticultural oil