What Is the Sticky Stuff All Over My Weeping Fig?

Pest Identification

• Weeping fig trees are especially prone to infestation from pests called scales. Scales have a wide host range of plants including indoor plants, shrubs, perennials and trees. Unless controlled in time, the scale population escalates sharply within a few months. This often happens since identifying scales in the early stages of growth and when they occur at low numbers is difficult.

Description

• Young scales, or nymphs, and the adult females have no identifiable body parts. The nymphs have a different color than the adult females. The pests are immobile and wingless with a round, oval or elongated shaped humped or flat looking. Adult males are very small and gnatlike with a single pair of wings and no mouths. However, the males only live for a few hours and are rarely seen on the plants.

Damage

• Scale infestation resembles brown, immobile bumps on foliage undersides, twigs and branches. The pests anchor to a spot and feed on plant sap. As they feed, they secrete a sticky substance called honeydew that falls all over the plant. This is the sticky stuff seen on the weeping fig. Heavy scale infestation causes foliage to wilt, yellow and drop. Twigs may become deformed and bark cracks, exuding gum. The sticky honeydew attracts ants and promotes growth of black, sooty mold on the tree. Besides scales, variety of sap-sucking pests, such as mealybugs, whiteflies, aphids, psyllids and leafhoppers, produce similar honeydew as they feed on plants. Scales are the most likely culprits on weeping fig, as cited by the New Mexico State University Extension.

Control

• Insecticides control scales. Ensure the product is specifically labeled for weeping fig tree use. Insecticidal soaps are used but often require repeat application. If using horticultural oil, use those intended for indoor plants. Recommended insecticides include carbaryl, malathion or pyrethroids.