Pests won't bother your succulent plants; they can't get through the tough skin and waxy coating on some species, and other types just don't taste right. As a group, succulent plants don't seem susceptible to many bugs or diseases. Keeping the basic needs of succulent plants in mind - infrequent but thorough watering, bright light - will eliminate most diseases such as root rot or fungus gnats, as they require moist soil at all times to grow. Mealy bugs occasionally rear their ugly heads, but a watchful eye on the growers part can nip that in the bud. Check deep down in the crown of the plant, and where the leaf attaches to the stem. Use a cotton swab with rubbing alcohol to remove them.
Quarantine Any New Arrivals...
Getting new plants can be so exciting that you can't wait to see what they look like in your display. If you get a new plant, don't immediately put in right in amongst the rest of your collection. I usually quarantine a new plant for at least a couple of weeks, inspecting frequently in case it has a hitchhiker. Inspect your plants daily if possible, or at least weekly. Four-legged Pests...
The worst pests I encounter in my greenhouse are chipmunks! In the late summer as they look around for a comfy winter home or nice succulent juicy leaves to store, they try and use the greenhouse.
This is usually only a short lived problem as long as you don't let them settle in, but overnight they can take a gorgeous big succulent plant such as this Echeveria and nibble it into ribbons.Strangely enough, the little varmint had piled up all his loot and came back over the following few nights to carry it off to store it. I never did catch him, but I moved all my succulent plants inside that day to foil him!
Propagate for Insurance
Luckily for us, most succulent plants are resilient, and will bounce back from what looks like total devastation. Don't be too quick to write off a plant that has a pest problem. If you have mealy bugs or other insect damage, take some leaves or cuttings right away and
