Sap-sucking pests
Aphids, mealybugs, scale, mites, whiteflies and thrips all feed on plant sap.
What you'll see
- Sticky honeydew on leaves, often with black sooty mold.
- Yellow speckles, pale patches or curled, twisted new growth.
- Small insects, cottony tufts, shell-like bumps or fine webbing on stems and leaf undersides.
Why it happens
These insects and mites pierce leaves and stems and drink the sap. Most multiply fast and arrive on new plants.
How to fix it
- Look closely to tell which pest it is, then open its page in the library for the exact fix.
- Move the plant away from others, and rinse or wipe the pests off.
- Spray insecticidal soap or horticultural oil on all leaf surfaces, and repeat every week or so.
- Use any spray exactly as the label says, and keep kids and pets away until it dries.
Keep it from coming back
- Check new plants and keep them apart for a few weeks.
- Look under leaves when you water.
- Feed lightly; soft, lush growth draws sap-suckers.
Read more
Sources
General guidance, not a diagnosis. For valuable, edible or outdoor crops, check with a local extension service or plant expert. Use any product exactly as its label says, and keep children and pets away while it dries.