There are approximately more than 75 species of whiteflies that have invaded South Florida and they are wreaking havoc on palm trees, shrubs, ficus bushes and more. Whiteflies look like tiny moths and come in a variety of different shapes and sizes. They feed on phloem which is found in the underside of leaves. They use piercing needle like mouths and suck out the phloem. Typically, the end result is a yellowing of the leaf and eventual leaf drop.Common Signs of Whitefly Ficus Damage
It’s pretty easy to spot whitefly ficus damage. Your ficus leaves will turn yellow and then drop from the tree or bush. Defoliation and branch dieback are an indication, that your ficus has been infested for several months. Murray Pest Control can help with whitefly treatment and control. We typically utilize a soil application of specialized insecticide that is specifically meant to control Ficus whiteflies. We recommend a consistent application of this pesticide to control ficus whiteflies. We have been treating ficus whiteflies in Boca Raton, Deerfield Beach, Delray Beach and throughout South Florida since their introduction. Contact us today for a Free No Obligation Inspection. We can help treat and control this type of infestation.
Rugose Spiraling Whitefly and Treatment
Following upon the heels of the Ficus Whitefly, the Rugose Spiraling Whitefly made its presence known in 2009. This whitefly is believed to have made its way to South Florida from Central America. Unlike the Ficus Whitefly, the Rugose Spiraling Whitefly does not discriminate as it will infest a wide variety of foliage. Rugose Spiraling Whiteflies will target a variety of palm trees, such as foxtail, coconut and other trees and plants such as black olive, live oak, gumbo limbo, white bird of paradise, mango, avocado and even ficus.
How to tell if you have Rugose Spiraling Whitefly Damage
It is very easy to spot Rugose Spiraling Whitefly Damage. The leaves of your plant, tree or palm tree will have a white waxy film on the leaves along with blackish looking sooty mold. This mold is produced as a byproduct of the “honeydew” sugary substance that is created when the Rugose Spiraling Whitefly feeds on leaves. The end result is that if you do not treat your landscaping properly, your plants or trees will experience defoliation and branch dieback. We can help you get rid of your Rugose Spiraling Whiteflies. Infestation can be treated by consistent application of insecticide or through injection. If you believe your landscaping is infested with Rugose Spiraling Whiteflies, contact us today for a Free No Obligation Inspection.