Landscaping has undergone a considerable transformation and now features different kinds of shrubs, in addition to the grass and pavements seen in the past. However, the inclusion of shrubs on lawns introduces another dynamic to your lawn’s health. This is the introduction of different types of pests that attack the shrubs. There are different types of pests that might attack your shrubs, but sucking pests cause more damage than most pests.
Effective sucking pest control for your property in Vero Beach, Florida starts with a proper selection of the shrubs to include on your lawn. This will guarantee that the shrubs you get for your lawn are less prone to the common pests in your locality. Sucking pests will damage your plants by removing the sap from your plant’s tissue. Signs of sucking pest infestation include stunting and distortion of your plants’ growth, chlorotic spots, and stippling on leaf surfaces. Other signs are wilting plant tissue and black fungal growth on your leaves’ upper surfaces. The following are the common types of sucking pests and their control options:
These are small soft-bodied pests that can be green, yellow, or black. They secrete a honeydew substance that encourages the growth of sooty mold on leaves. They are generally found in clusters on the stems of new shrubs and the back of leaves. You can wash aphids off your plants with a steady water stream if the infestation is minimal. Horticultural oils, insecticidal soaps, and pest-control products containing malathion, cyfluthrin, or acephate are the solutions in heavy aphid infestation. Avoiding high nitrogen fertilizers is also recommended since these promote succulent new growths that aphids feed on.
Lace Bugs
These are called lace bugs owing to their lace-like covering behind the wings and head. They manifest on shrub leaves as yellow or white chlorotic spots and black spots cluttered under the leaves. Lace bugs are a common problem in lawns with sycamore, azalea, pyracantha, American elm, hawthorn, and laurel plant varieties. The application of pesticides containing carbaryl, acephate, bifenthrin, malathion, or cyfluthrin applies in early spring will suffice for lace bug control.
Whiteflies
These resemble small gnats and attach to the base of leaves. They secrete a honeydew material that promotes the growth of black mold on the leaves. Whitefly infestation generally occurs in significant numbers and getting rid of these insects is challenging. Products containing acephate, malathion, cyfluthrin, or horticultural oils applied three to four times for five to seven days will control whiteflies.
Spider Mites
You will often find these pests on the back of the leaves of your shrubs. Common signs of infestation include a stifling of the growth of broadleaf plants, browning of conifer needles, and webbing. Spider mites affect all types of trees and woody ornamentals in hot and dry climates. Products containing bifenthrin, acephate, insecticidal oils, or horticultural oils will help contain a spider mite infestation.
The sucking pests mentioned above can lead to the death of your entire lawn if not adequately contained and dealt with on time. However, diagnosing an infestation is not so easy, and only routine professional inspections might be able to pick one out. Professional lawn care is hence the ideal choice for all property owners aiming for a healthy and perfect-looking lawn.