Spraying leaves with a light mist of water and taking a close up photo aids in viewing the spider mites webs.
Often even after a problem of leaves falling or stalled growth, many people can not see the spider mites and do not know what the cause of the problem.
Often even after a problem of leaves falling or stalled growth, many people can not see the spider mites and do not know what the cause of the problem.
Insect Problems
Spider Mites
Spider Mites can be easily killed with insecticide soaps. The soap must be directly sprayed on the insect's body and eggs to be effective. Mites are common problem in green houses and grow rooms. They thrive in warm dry environments. A really good spraying of the soapy water will dry out the insects and kill them. I normally do a secondary spray a couple of days later in case I might have missed any spots.
Scale Insects
Young scale can be killed with insecticide soaps. Older scale can develop a hard shell and need to be crushed, rubbed with alcohol or smothered with horticultural oils. Outdoors they are often farmed by ants in order for the fig trees to produce a sweet sticky sap. The scale insects can be found on leaves and branches.
Fungus Gnats
When starting fig cuttings fungus gnats appear and eat the inside of the fig sticks and fungus growing in the damp soil. They later hatch and often appear flying around. Adults can be easily caught by yellow sticky traps. The young can easily be prevented or killed with products like Summit Mosquito Control dissolved in the water. Use the water with the mite control to water your cuttings and you will not have problems. The Summit control is actually non toxic mold that prevents the gnats from developing and eating. It is not harmful to fish, pets, animals or humans. By law any pesticide has to have a discoser statement printed on the product.
Make your Own Organic Insecticidal Soap or Oil
I use Dr. Bronner's soap to make my own Insecticidal Soap. You can easily make your own Organic Insecticide Soap or oil that kills spider mites young scale, aphids and other soft bodied insects.
Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Soap Insecticide
1 quart of water (distilled or soft water works best)
1 Tbsp. Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Soap
½ tsp. cayenne pepper or cinnamon (optional to keep future pests away)
Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Soap is made from natural oils. Once diluted in water the ph changes and it is no longer shelf stable. The diluted mix should be used in a few weeks to prevent it from going bad.
Mild soft soaps homemade insecticide
1 gallon water (distilled or soft water works best)
2 ½ tablespoons mild liquid soap or mild hand soap (some strong soaps can burn sensitive plants)
2 ½ table spoons of Coconut oil or Olive Oil or Vegetable Oil (helps to keeps soap on bugs)
2 tsp. cayenne pepper or cinnamon (optional to keep future pests away)
Directions:
These sprays work on soft bodied bugs spider mites, scale, aphids, white fly and other soft bodied insects. It also works against powdery mildew. They are considered safe around kids, animals, and are often considered for organic use. Bugs must be wet to kill them. Spray plants in the cool of the day. Repeat spraying in a few days to kill any insects or eggs you may have missed. Avoid spraying on young rooting cuttings or plants to prevent drying them out. Some homemade insecticide soaps can go bad after a few weeks.
Research University:
Clemson University says avoid using on hawthorn, sweet peas, cherries, plums, horse chestnut, mountain ash, Japanese maple, bleeding heart, maidenhair fern, crown of thorns, lantana, nasturtiums, gardenias, and Easter lilies, and to some extent azaleas, begonias, fuchsias, geraniums, and impatiens. Some of these plants are more likely to develop burns from the soap especially if sprayed in the sun.
Fig Mosaic Virus
FMV & FMD
Fig mosaic emaravirus (FMV) is a virus that can develop into fig mosaic disease (FMD) in fig plants. It is transmitted mainly by fig mites and causes deformed leaves and spotting on leaves when fig trees are young. Most trees outgrow it when they are older and fertilized properly.
Rust Fungus
Rust or Rusts are a group of rust colored fungal diseases affecting the aerial parts of plants often mainly the leaves. Rust develops on leaves in humid wet climates or late in the Fall when leaves begin yellowing. If it is late in the Fall, simply remove the leaves and throw them away. The Rust fungus will not be there in the Spring.
If you live in a humid rainy place and the rust develops early, pick off leaves, dispose of leaves, and you may wish to try one of the treatments below.
Organic gardeners often use baking soda to control garden fungus such as Rust.
A baking soda spray might be enhanced by mixing it with Horticultural Oil or Neem Oil.
Neem Oil, is a botanical fungicide and pesticide that helps control Rust.
1 crushed aspirin per gallon of water can also be used to treat Rust.
Strong products such as a weekly dusting of sulfur can prevent and treat Rust.
Other strong products such as Bonide Copper Fungicide will stop the spread of Rust.
A baking soda spray might be enhanced by mixing it with Horticultural Oil or Neem Oil.
Neem Oil, is a botanical fungicide and pesticide that helps control Rust.
1 crushed aspirin per gallon of water can also be used to treat Rust.
Strong products such as a weekly dusting of sulfur can prevent and treat Rust.
Other strong products such as Bonide Copper Fungicide will stop the spread of Rust.