Last Updated on July 23, 2019 by Gardens Home Management Services
Did you know that south Florida now has three separate Whiteflies? The first is the Ficus Whitefly, and it’s the one that damages and kills our Ficus hedges and trees. These are best dealt with as early as possible. Prompt chemical treatments will usually save a hedge and the privacy it provides. The Rugose Spiraling Whitefly is more of an annoyance. It infests many types of trees but does not kill them. It does secrete a sugary substance (honeydew) that then grows black, sooty mold. This is difficult to clean off of cars, boats, decks, and tiles. Finally, south Florida has a new visitor. The Bondar’s Nesting Whitefly also does not appear to cause much damage to host plant: Ficus, Guava, and several others. It does leave a white, waxy substance on leaves, as well as the same honeydew and mold as the Spiraling Whitefly. All of these Whiteflies can be dealt with through aggressive action by Gardens Home Management Services.