Pest identification
What's eating my sempervivum 'pacific blue ice'?
Mealybugs
Signs: White woolly patches at leaf bases; honeydew leads to sooty mould
Control: Remove with alcohol-soaked swab; treat with neem oil spray weekly for four weeks
Vine weevil
Signs: Plant detaches from substrate; curved cream grubs consuming root tissue
Control: Water in nematodes (Steinernema kraussei) in spring; destroy grubs found during repotting
Fungus gnats
Signs: Adult gnats around soil; larvae damage hair roots causing stunted growth
Control: Use very free-draining compost; let soil dry completely; apply yellow sticky card traps
Keep sempervivum 'pacific blue ice' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Sempervivum 'Pacific Blue Ice' pests — FAQ
What is eating my sempervivum 'pacific blue ice'?
Sempervivum 'Pacific Blue Ice' is a silvery-blue rosette succulent that grows well indoors on sunny windowsills. Mealybugs are the most common pest, sheltering in the dense rosette. Vine weevil grubs can attack the root zone unnoticed. Minimal watering and good airflow keep this cultivar largely trouble-free.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on sempervivum 'pacific blue ice'?
White woolly patches at leaf bases; honeydew leads to sooty mould Remove with alcohol-soaked swab; treat with neem oil spray weekly for four weeks
How do I get rid of vine weevil on sempervivum 'pacific blue ice'?
Plant detaches from substrate; curved cream grubs consuming root tissue Water in nematodes (Steinernema kraussei) in spring; destroy grubs found during repotting
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on sempervivum 'pacific blue ice'?
Adult gnats around soil; larvae damage hair roots causing stunted growth Use very free-draining compost; let soil dry completely; apply yellow sticky card traps