Asked on Apr 11, 2014
Fig tree has cooties!
+9
I have a fig tree that was doing nothing. Just 2 branches. I repotted it and it has taken off with new growth. BUT, the other day I noticed some kind of pest on it. Little brown soft bugs of some kind. They look like little blobs. No visible legs. I have been wiping down the stems and backs of the leaves and the branches, often.
Do any of you know of a good, effective natural spray I could make to rid this plant of those pests? I googled to no avail. Thanks!
Do any of you know of a good, effective natural spray I could make to rid this plant of those pests? I googled to no avail. Thanks!
10 answers
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That should say "fig tree has COOTIES!" . No edit button!
Teri Tripp-Lanciault
on Apr 11, 2014
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Do you have a lot of ants on your fig tree, too? If so, it sounds like a case of aphid honeydew...very common for fruit trees. The ants farm aphids for the honeydew - the little brown blobs. To get rid of them, keep wiping them off, and use food-grade Diatomaceous Earth on the trunk of the tree. I wrote an article about it the other day at http://www.lavendeandlemonade.blogspot.com/2014/03/simple-natural-tip-to-keep-citrus-trees.html
Lavende
on Apr 11, 2014
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It sounds like your fig tree could have some type of scale insect. My first suggestion for treatment would bbs an insecticidal soap, but see a comprehensive discussion here: http://theurbanrancher.tamu.edu/retiredsite/bugs/b6097.pdf
Douglas Hunt
on Apr 12, 2014
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http://www.ehow.com/facts_5074578_ficus-tree-scale-disease.html
Gloria Clayton
on Apr 12, 2014
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No, no ants. How lucky...i have diatomaceous earth out in the barn! I use it for my chicken coop. I will check out your blog, too Thanks so much! (BTW, should I dust the back of the leaves with the DE? Some of them have some spots)
Teri Tripp-Lanciault
on Apr 12, 2014
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Thanks to you too, Doug and Gloria! I think I can remedy this before it gets too out of hand! Thanks to Miriam too, for fixing my typo! BTW...Lavande, I saw your blog and made your madeleines! That is the best recipe I have ever used for them. AWESOME!!
Teri Tripp-Lanciault
on Apr 13, 2014
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Try vinegar and water 1/2 of each, straight vinegar works well on ants.
Mary Brown
on Apr 15, 2014
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I love that! I'm so glad you made and enjoyed them! DE works on most soft-bodied insects, the texture of it irritates their skin and dries them out. I rub it on the base of the tree to keep ants from crawling up. Without seeing or knowing more about what the "cooties" are...I'd also suggest my other favorite remedy which is one of those little 99 cent spray bottles filled with soapy water (regular dish soap). Spray it on every day or so and it should help!
Lavende
on Apr 15, 2014
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I didn't see anyone mention using NEEM oil. I use that in my garden all the time here in FL. I use it on my tomatoes weekly as a preventative because here we get aphids overnight and the plant is dead the next day. NEEM is organic and you can actually harvest the day you use it. It is a safe alternative to harsher pesticides and is one step up from insecticidal soap, which is just an insecticide. NEEM is a 3-in-1 product: insecticide, miticide and a fungicide. It can sometimes be hard to tell whether it's a bug or a fungus so this works on everything safely. Good luck :)
Leslie Long
on Apr 16, 2014
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I have used Neem for the rust that appears on my hollyhocks and in soaps that I made (specifically, acne soap!). Great idea, thanks Leslie!
Teri Tripp-Lanciault
on Apr 21, 2014
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