White things on my plants, what are they and how to treat?

Posts

• Waterbut Posts: 344

  8 February

  Could be white fly. Brush them off with a small soft paint brush or take a damp paper towel and rub the leaves gently with it or spray it with a bug killer. If it is they love indoor plants.

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• tom.roelofs80171 Posts: 3

  9 February

  I've been cleaning them off from my leafs for a while now, they keep coming back sadly

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• Pete.8 Posts: 11,340

  9 February

  You could try Neem Oil.
  Unlike usual bug sprays, neem oil is non-toxic and works by sticking the insects in-place so they can't move or breed and die within a few days.
  Treatment would need to be repeated as per instructions as eggs already laid will still hatch
  
  Pyrethrum may work - it is toxic to bugs and kills on contact.
  But the waxy leaves may prevent the spray from evenly covering them and just run off.
  A few drops of washing up liquid mixed in may help it adhere better
  
  But check your ficus is compatible with such treatments first.
  

  
  Billericay - Essex
  
  Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
  Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

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• Ceres Posts: 2,698

  9 February

  tom.roelofs80171 said:

  I've been cleaning them off from my leafs for a while now, they keep coming back sadly

  
  

  Once you have cleaned the insects off the leaves, how long is it before they return and have you seen white insects flying near the plant?

  It would be a good idea to wipe the plant down with a damp cloth daily until the leaves are clear of pests.
  

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• tom.roelofs80171 Posts: 3

  9 February

  Normally they're back within a week of cleaning, I'll start cleaning them daily from now on

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• Ceres Posts: 2,698

  9 February

  I have found that pests often need to be hunted on a daily basis until you can get rid of them completely so I wish you luck with your quest.
  

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