Pest identification
What's eating my red mistletoe cactus?
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony deposits hidden within the bristly hairs on stems; weakened growth and shrivelled tips
Control: Work isopropyl alcohol into the bristles with a fine paintbrush; repeat weekly until no signs remain
Scale insects
Signs: Brown or tan raised shells on the cylindrical stems; sticky honeydew and possible sooty mold
Control: Remove manually with a soft toothbrush; apply horticultural oil spray fortnightly for a month
Fungus gnats
Signs: Adults around the pot surface; larvae chew fine roots in the moist organic epiphytic mix
Control: Reduce watering frequency; ensure the mix drains freely; use yellow sticky traps and Bti soil drench
Keep red mistletoe cactus pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Red Mistletoe Cactus pests — FAQ
What is eating my red mistletoe cactus?
Red Mistletoe Cactus (Rhipsalis pilocarpa) is a bristly-stemmed jungle cactus kept indoors in higher humidity, reducing spider mite pressure but making fungus gnats more likely. Mealybugs shelter among its distinctive hair-like bristles. Scale insects occasionally colonise the stems. Check bristle bases carefully — they conceal small colonies well.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on red mistletoe cactus?
White cottony deposits hidden within the bristly hairs on stems; weakened growth and shrivelled tips Work isopropyl alcohol into the bristles with a fine paintbrush; repeat weekly until no signs remain
How do I get rid of scale insects on red mistletoe cactus?
Brown or tan raised shells on the cylindrical stems; sticky honeydew and possible sooty mold Remove manually with a soft toothbrush; apply horticultural oil spray fortnightly for a month
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on red mistletoe cactus?
Adults around the pot surface; larvae chew fine roots in the moist organic epiphytic mix Reduce watering frequency; ensure the mix drains freely; use yellow sticky traps and Bti soil drench