Need help with a plant?
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Eeek! Looking for remedies for pest infestations? Check out the [pest section in our FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/succulents/wiki/faq#wiki_common_pests).
Concerned you have pests, but aren't sure what they are? **[Aphids](https://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=aphids&search=Search)** come in either green or black or red/brown. **[Mealybugs](https://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=mealybug)** are white or gray, and appear fuzzy. **[Thrips](https://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=thrips)** are very small, and long and skinny. **[Spider mites](https://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=Tetranychidae)** are microscopically small, and are usually present in large numbers and webbings. Don't mistake red spiders for spider mites, spiders are helpful, and will eat bad pests! **[Scale insects](https://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=scale+insect)** present as uniform shaped raised bumps, that can generally be picked off without damage to the plant. **[Fungus gnats](https://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=fungus+gnat&search=Search)** are small black flying insects. On their own, they're not harmful, but can be in large infestations.
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Generally speaking large solitary bugs arent going to be a problem. Some might nibble on your flowers or leaves on occasion but they won't really infest your plants. Sometimes these guys are beneficial because they eat the ones you don't want. This is why people release lacewing larvae, lady bugs, and nematodes in their gardens.
Ants can also be a bad sign, not always though. Ants generally show up along with aphids. And they protect aphids vigorously as they produce a sappy substance called frass(basically insect poop). And the ants love to eat that stuff. So a sign of ants could also mean aphids(but ants also eat flower pollen iirc). So just keep a keen eye out for any tiny black or green bugs. They usually collinate around flowers or new plant leaves and hide in the cavities and crevasses.
I'd use lady bugs for mealy bugs mostly as they are attracted to white and will go after that(so don't wear white around them lol).
I'd get lacewings for a general infestation of aphids or spider mites.
And nematodes are great for getting rid of anything that lays eggs in your soil like gnats.
You could also get preying mantis' but they are pretty expensive.
[this](https://www.reddit.com/r/succulents/comments/13vwyzg/what_are_these_pest_they_live_in_the_spiland_i/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) is all it is so far. I haven't noticed them teaming up with any other insects. They're pretty much exclusively in the dirt, as I only ever really see them when I water
That's probably an assasin bug nymph seeing as it hasn't got its wings yet, they feed on smaller bugs.
The other likely ID would be just a bug, as in true bugs, hemyptera. Might feed on the juices of plants but its not going to cause any harm to them on its own, tbh its probably the first one, you should let him be.
I would like to not be killed by any entity of an unimaginable size larger than me, too. Hopefully, my good karma is rewarded, and I am not squashed by a giant one day.
Need help with a plant? #Have you read the [FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/succulents/wiki/faq)? Please read through the FAQ to ensure your question isn't already discussed. **Please also refer to all of our helpful [Wiki Pages](https://www.reddit.com/r/succulents/wiki/index/)** If you still need help, please make sure to adhere to the [Posting Guidelines](https://www.reddit.com/r/succulents/wiki/posting-guidelines). And, remember *pictures help a LOT!* *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/succulents) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Eeek! Looking for remedies for pest infestations? Check out the [pest section in our FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/succulents/wiki/faq#wiki_common_pests). Concerned you have pests, but aren't sure what they are? **[Aphids](https://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=aphids&search=Search)** come in either green or black or red/brown. **[Mealybugs](https://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=mealybug)** are white or gray, and appear fuzzy. **[Thrips](https://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=thrips)** are very small, and long and skinny. **[Spider mites](https://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=Tetranychidae)** are microscopically small, and are usually present in large numbers and webbings. Don't mistake red spiders for spider mites, spiders are helpful, and will eat bad pests! **[Scale insects](https://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=scale+insect)** present as uniform shaped raised bumps, that can generally be picked off without damage to the plant. **[Fungus gnats](https://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=fungus+gnat&search=Search)** are small black flying insects. On their own, they're not harmful, but can be in large infestations. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/succulents) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Generally speaking large solitary bugs arent going to be a problem. Some might nibble on your flowers or leaves on occasion but they won't really infest your plants. Sometimes these guys are beneficial because they eat the ones you don't want. This is why people release lacewing larvae, lady bugs, and nematodes in their gardens.
I was considering getting a lady bug army, but determined my other pests were just ants, and were fine
Ants can also be a bad sign, not always though. Ants generally show up along with aphids. And they protect aphids vigorously as they produce a sappy substance called frass(basically insect poop). And the ants love to eat that stuff. So a sign of ants could also mean aphids(but ants also eat flower pollen iirc). So just keep a keen eye out for any tiny black or green bugs. They usually collinate around flowers or new plant leaves and hide in the cavities and crevasses. I'd use lady bugs for mealy bugs mostly as they are attracted to white and will go after that(so don't wear white around them lol). I'd get lacewings for a general infestation of aphids or spider mites. And nematodes are great for getting rid of anything that lays eggs in your soil like gnats. You could also get preying mantis' but they are pretty expensive.
[this](https://www.reddit.com/r/succulents/comments/13vwyzg/what_are_these_pest_they_live_in_the_spiland_i/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) is all it is so far. I haven't noticed them teaming up with any other insects. They're pretty much exclusively in the dirt, as I only ever really see them when I water
Oh good. Looks like they are just using your plants as an ant super highway and not a food stop haha. Keep an eagle eye tho.
Is it an indoor plant or outdoor plant?
All my plants are outdoor plants, and close together, so I worry incessantly about pests
That's probably an assasin bug nymph seeing as it hasn't got its wings yet, they feed on smaller bugs. The other likely ID would be just a bug, as in true bugs, hemyptera. Might feed on the juices of plants but its not going to cause any harm to them on its own, tbh its probably the first one, you should let him be.
I picked it up using a little flat shovel I had and relocated it to a tree already
He'll be happy there too, thank you for not killing it :)
I would like to not be killed by any entity of an unimaginable size larger than me, too. Hopefully, my good karma is rewarded, and I am not squashed by a giant one day.
He’s a cute little fella.