Pest identification
What's eating my aloe ferox?
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony clusters in leaf axils and along stems; slow growth and sticky residue on leaves.
Control: Apply isopropyl alcohol with a cotton swab to each colony; follow up with weekly neem oil sprays for a month.
Scale insects
Signs: Hard or waxy brown bumps on stems and older leaves; may cause yellowing in affected areas.
Control: Remove physically with a toothbrush; treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap every 10 days.
Aphids
Signs: Clusters on emerging flower stalks, distorting blooms and leaving sticky honeydew.
Control: Blast off with a water jet or apply insecticidal soap; usually resolves quickly with a single treatment.
Keep aloe ferox pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Aloe Ferox pests — FAQ
What is eating my aloe ferox?
Aloe ferox (Cape Aloe) is a large, robust species with few pest problems indoors when kept in bright, dry conditions. Mealybugs can shelter in the extensive leaf axils, and scale insects occasionally colonise older stems. Aphids may target flower spikes when the plant blooms. Its size makes full inspection important — check stem bases carefully.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on aloe ferox?
White cottony clusters in leaf axils and along stems; slow growth and sticky residue on leaves. Apply isopropyl alcohol with a cotton swab to each colony; follow up with weekly neem oil sprays for a month.
How do I get rid of scale insects on aloe ferox?
Hard or waxy brown bumps on stems and older leaves; may cause yellowing in affected areas. Remove physically with a toothbrush; treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap every 10 days.
How do I get rid of aphids on aloe ferox?
Clusters on emerging flower stalks, distorting blooms and leaving sticky honeydew. Blast off with a water jet or apply insecticidal soap; usually resolves quickly with a single treatment.