We live in South Florida for a number of reasons: warm climate all year round, beautiful beaches, and plenty of activities and things to do. But we can’t escape the pests that habitat our area. Whiteflies are a big concern here in Palm Beach County and they are so good at camouflage, you may not even know you have them until it’s too late. 

 

What are Whiteflies?

 

Whiteflies are tiny, white, winged insects that suck on the nutrients in your plants. They damage your plants by not only draining its fluids and causing it to wilt but also by secreting honeydew onto its leaves. This honeydew form into fungal diseases that can severely damage or kill off your precious ornamentals or vegetable plants (their favorite!). Whiteflies are also very attracted to ficus hedges, which are prominent in our Palm Beach County landscapes. 

 

How to Identify Whiteflies

 

As mentioned, whiteflies are so small and easily camouflaged, it may take a little work to identify them. You can check your plants by shaking the leaves, as they will all fly off in swarm when disturbed. Turn over your leaves and you may find sticky honeydew left behind. Whiteflies are also quick reproducers, laying up to 400 eggs at one time. You can identify whitefly eggs by their extremely tiny size and pale yellow color laid in a circular pattern. Larvae are little white ovals and you can find them sucking on your plants nutrients on the underside of your leaves.

 

How to Prevent and Treat Whitefly

 

It’s always best to prevent an infestation before it can happen to you. The professionals at East Coast Sprayers know whitefly like the backs of their hands and can easily identify if you’re susceptible or if you need treatment for an existing whitefly breakout. We will tailor an insect control treatment plan specifically for you to ensure a beautiful, lush landscape for years to come. Contact us today for your free evaluation!

Living in Palm Beach County comes with its perks, but it also comes with the insects and pests that make their home in your landscape. Aphids and scales are two of the common found insects that invade and cause destruction in South Florida plants. East Coast Sprayers know how important curb appeal is to our customers, and we are here to help keep aphids and scales away with pest control treatments and programs designed for you.

 

Aphids in Palm Beach County

 

Aphids can primarily be found in your flowering plants, feeding on the juices from the stems, leaves and flower buds. Their feeding causes your flower petals to curl and hinders the overall growth of the plant. These pests reproduce quickly and aphid larvae feed on the roots of the plant. 

 

Luckily, aphids can be easy to eradicate as their bodies don’t offer much protection. In addition to treating the live insects with a pesticide, the professionals at East Coast Sprayers can apply a treatment during their dormant season to kill any wintering eggs.

 

Scales in Palm Beach County

 

While scales have a different appearance than aphids, they have almost identical destructive behaviors. They suck the juices from your plants, leaving them discolored and damaged. In addition, they secrete honeydew, which quickly forms into a sooty mold which can reduce photosynthesis. This mold can remain on your foliage long after killing them off and cause extreme damage or death of the plant. Preventative treatments can help reduce the odds of scales ever harming your plants, while our specialists can help eradicate their presence if you currently have an infestation.

 

Aphids and Scales Treatment in Palm Beach County

 

If you’re experiencing issues with your landscape similar to what we’ve described above, it may be time to call East Coast Sprayers. We are professionals who understand the ins and outs of your landscape, as well as how to control pests and insects that invade it. Contact us today for a free evaluation of your aphid and scale epidemic and let us create a custom treatment just for you.