Pest identification
What's eating my string of bananas?
Mealybugs
Signs: Cottony white clusters between leaf beads and at stem joints; beads shrivel; honeydew drips below
Control: Dab each cluster with 70% isopropyl alcohol; spray the whole plant with diluted neem oil and repeat weekly for a month
Spider mites
Signs: Dusty, pale or bronze mottling on beads; fine webbing visible when infestation is heavy
Control: Increase air humidity; shower plant under lukewarm water and follow with insecticidal soap spray every 5–7 days
Scale insects
Signs: Hard tan or brown bumps adhered to older woody stems; slow growth and yellowing
Control: Scrape scales off with a toothpick or soft brush; apply horticultural oil spray to smother crawlers
Keep string of bananas pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
String of bananas pests — FAQ
What is eating my string of bananas?
String of bananas (a succulent Senecio) is most commonly hit by mealybugs nesting between the plump banana-shaped beads. Spider mites thrive if the air is hot and dry. Scale can appear on woody stem sections. The succulent leaves store water, so avoid wetting soil when spraying — focus product on foliage and stem joints.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on string of bananas?
Cottony white clusters between leaf beads and at stem joints; beads shrivel; honeydew drips below Dab each cluster with 70% isopropyl alcohol; spray the whole plant with diluted neem oil and repeat weekly for a month
How do I get rid of spider mites on string of bananas?
Dusty, pale or bronze mottling on beads; fine webbing visible when infestation is heavy Increase air humidity; shower plant under lukewarm water and follow with insecticidal soap spray every 5–7 days
How do I get rid of scale insects on string of bananas?
Hard tan or brown bumps adhered to older woody stems; slow growth and yellowing Scrape scales off with a toothpick or soft brush; apply horticultural oil spray to smother crawlers