Bugs! What do I do now?

• Mealybugs : These little critter are white and fuzzy. They like to hang out on the inner leaves and stem and suck out the juice from our lovely babies. They like moist, warm soil and they can spread quite rapidly.  Do not fear, we can get rid of them. Grab yourself a travel bottle and fill it with 70% isopropyl  alcohol and give those little beast a spray. The spray will not damage plants and usually kills bugs instantly. You can also add directly to soil to kill any eggs. 
• Aphids: are small (1/8 inch long), soft bodied, pear-shaped insects that may be green, yellow, brown, red or black in color depending on species and food source. They, just like the mealybugs suck juices from your plants on the underside of leaves and on new growth. The alcohol spray method or neem oil will get rid of the guys fast.
• Spider Mites: To the naked eye, spider mites look like tiny, moving dots or tiny spiders.   The alcohol spray method or neem oil will get rid of the guys fast. If you prefer more natural insecticides try ladybugs.
• Ants: You know them, wash them off plant and place borax-based ant baits around the base of each plant, 3 to 5 inches from each succulent's main stem. The baits attract ants, drawing them away from the succulents.
• Gnats: Those pesky little black flying bugs, GNATS. They are irritating but easily controlled by keeping your soil dry. Using a a water, dry , water method, gnats should not be a problem but if they are still hoovering around kill the gnats flying with an apple cider vinegar trap will do the trick. Simply put a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a plastic cup. Add a couple drops of dish soap.

Let us know what you do to control bugs in your garden. We would love to know what works for you!