Tecoma Stans Plant Pests

Spider Mites

• Yellow bells houseplants occasionally attract various spider mite species. These tiny arachnids pierce small holes in the plant cells to suck out the sap, causing the tissue around the feeding sites to turn white. Early signs of spider mite infestations include white or mottled, yellow patches developing on the undersides of leaves. Severely infested leaves eventually take on a bronze or a gray tint before falling off the plant. Spider mites are usually too small to see with the naked eye, but many species spin a visible webbing. Confirm a spider mite infestation by placing a piece of white paper underneath affected leaves and giving the foliage a hard shake. Spider mites appear as tiny moving dots on the paper.

Whiteflies

• Watch for whiteflies on your yellow bells, especially the greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum), which commonly feeds on indoor container plants. These tiny, mothlike pests suck liquids out of plant tissue, resulting in yellowing leaves, premature leaf drop and reduced plant vigor. Whiteflies also excrete a sticky substance called honeydew that not only makes plants look unattractive, but also provides the growing environment for sooty mold fungi.

Scale Insects

• Yellow bells occasionally attracts several types of armored scale insect. These tiny pests find a feeding spot soon after hatching, and they stay in that spot for the rest of their short lives. Once settled, the scales secrete a waxy protective coating around their bodies. This covering makes them look less like insects and more like small, round, gray or brown lumps growing on plant tissue. Scale insects feed on plant sap, and heavy feeding results in yellowing foliage, reduced plant growth, premature leaf drop and occasional branch dieback.

Natural Controls

• Yellow bells pests can often be effectively controlled by spraying the foliage with a hard stream of water from your garden hose or shower sprayer. Inspect your plant when you water it and gently scrape off any scale pests you see with a blunt knife. Running a small, hand-held vacuum over yellow bells foliage can help control whitefly populations. Spider mites thrive in dry, dusty conditions, so regularly wipe off the foliage with a soft, damp cloth. Cleaning your plant with 1 teaspoon of liquid soap mixed into 1 gallon of water helps remove scale insects. Control minor infestations by pruning out and destroying the infected plant material. Get rid of heavily infested yellow bells plants to avoid spreading the pests to nearby plants.

Chemical Conrtols

• Many yellow bells pests are hard to control with pesticides, but using an insecticidal soap spray might help control large populations. Following the manufacturer's directions and safety precautions, use about 5 tablespoons of product for each 1 gallon of water. Thoroughly cover all the leaves for the best results. Repeat this process three times, waiting 14 days between applications. If spraying for scale insects, mix a few drops of liquid detergent into the insecticidal soap solution to help penetrate the insects' hard shells.