Bug Infestation of an Ivy Plant

Identification

• Clusters of soft-bodied aphids may appear on young ivy shoot tips. Aphids measure 1/16 to 1/8 inch long and are green, yellow, brown or reddish purple. You may also see 1/8-inch-long adult mealybugs on the stems, undersides of leaves or in the soil. They create nests which resemble cottony masses at the bases of leaf stems. Clusters of mealybugs give the plant a white, powdery appearance. Scale insects measure up to 1/8 inch long and resemble stationary brown or gray bumps on plant stems and leaves. Spider mites measure 1/50 inch long and produce a fine web as they feed on leaves.

Effects

• Aphids, mealybugs, scales and spider mites suck juices from leaves and stems. An aphid-infested ivy plant will appear discolored and develop wilted, curled or distorted leaves. Mealybugs and scales cause yellow leaves, leaf loss and stunted growth. When spider mites feed on an ivy plant, the undersides of the leaves develop a yellowed, speckled appearance. Aphids, mealybugs and scales deposit a clear, sugary substance called honeydew, which attracts ants and black mold buildup.

Manual Removal

• You can remove the insect pests from your ivy plant with a cold stream or shower of water, particularly on the undersides of leaves. Scales and mealybugs may require the more painstaking approach of wiping leaves with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. The American Ivy Society recommends a cool soapy water bath for infested ivy plants every three to five days. With it still in the container, turn the plant upside down and submerge the stems and leaves in the soapy water.

Insecticides

• Insecticidal soap, horticultural oils and neem oil are relatively nontoxic controls that kill insects on contact. The University of Delaware recommends chemical pesticides, such as permethrin and imidacloprid, for heavy infestations or infestations that involve more than one ivy plant. You may need to dip a heavily infested ivy plant in insecticide to ensure contact with insect pests. Scales, which have a protective waxy shell, may require repeated insecticide treatments every two or three weeks. Follow label directions and precautions carefully when using chemical pesticides.