Battling Bugs FAQs
- My tree has an aphid infestation. Should I dump the plant or is there a way to save it?
- I discovered a white bug on a branch of my ficus bonsai. It was about 1/8 inch in diameter, all white and looking similar to a very small sea barnacle. I was able to easily pick it off with some tweezers. Some leaves looked like they had been chewed.
- My elm tree had bugs which we thought were black flies. I sprayed with dish soap mixture. Now the leaves shrivel up and die
Battling Bugs FAQs
Q. My tree has an aphid infestation. Should I dump the plant or is there a way to save it?
Fighting aphid infestation. Aphids are not difficult to erradicate, however it does require diligence. We have had good success using one of the horticultural soaps on the market.
However the first step in combatting pests is to positively identify the pest. Check our links section for help in this regard.
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Q. I discovered a white bug on a branch of my ficus bonsai. It was about 1/8 inch in diameter, all white and looking similar to a very small sea barnacle. I was able to easily pick it off with some tweezers. Some leaves looked like they had been chewed.
Scale on Ficus. However the first step in combatting any bug problem is to identify the pest. Visit the the University of Maine''s Pest Management for information about their services. Once they identify the pest they should be able to recommend a course of action.
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Q. My elm tree had bugs which we thought were black flies. I sprayed with dish soap mixture. Now the leaves shrivel up and die
Household soaps burn bonsai leaves. It sounds like the tree had a phytotoxic reaction to whatever was sprayed on it.
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