Insect
Infestation
No matter where you live
or what you grow, expect insect pests. These are five common pests
and hints on control.
Aphids - Watch for sooty mold on leaves and distorted growth.
Also look for the white skins they shed. Pick off any infested areas
and wash the plant with tepid water. Spraying with Safer's soap
or vegetable oil in water is also effective. (Click to see picture
of Aphids - hit the back button on your browser to return.)
Mealy Bugs - These cluster around the leaf stem and are to
see. Remove the plant from its container. You'll find white wool
on the roots. Wipe the bugs away with cotton swabs soaked in alcohol.
Spray the plant with a water/alcohol mixture, wash the roots and
repot. (Click to see picture
of Mealy Bugs- hit the back button on your browser to return.)
Spider Mites - Almost invisible, except with a magnifying
glass. Look for webs on the bottom of leaves. Leaves dry up and
fall off. Increase the humidity by misting often or wash the mites
away using a sprinkler. (Click to see picture
of Spider Mites - hit the back button on your browser to return.)
White Flies - These flies weaken your plant by sucking sap.
Look for sooty mold on leaves which turn yellow and fall. White
flies are hard to get rid of. Try sticky tape, soap and citrus or
vegetable oil sprays. Don't kill spiders, as spiders kill white
flies and many other pests. (Click to see picture
of White Flies - hit the back button on your browser to return.)
Leafminers - Leafminers are larvae of several different types
of insects that eat trails through the leaves of plants. The only
way to protect your plants from damage is to remove leaves as soon
as you see the trails. Use fresh potting soil and keep your garden
area clean of old plant debris to avoid infestation. (Click to see
picture of Leafminers
- hit the back button on your browser to return.)
Special thanks to the
Clemson University Department of Entomology, Cooperative Extension
Service for use of these photos.
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