Insect Alert to Keep an Eye out for : Spiraling Whitefly Do You Have Spiraling Whitefly?
(Begins at most properties by going after palm trees, all varieties) (Area: South Florida)

With this pest : If your neighbor has it, you need to be on the defensive to protect your property as it can spread easily. Only licensed Pest Control companies can purchase the required chemical treatments. While we do not provide a treatment service, we do have a company that we do recommend with competitive pricing and top quality work. Only company we’ve used for over a decade. (Information below.)

What to look for : White spirals and a build up of white, waxy substance on the underside of leaves. This coats the eggs and immature whiteflies. If populations build up greatly, infested palms and plants can become covered with the white, waxy substance. This can sometimes become weakened and also be disfigured by the black sooty mold that grows on the insect’s excrement (referred to as honeydew.) The sticky honeydew can accumulate on cars, pool decks and patio furniture from infested trees that are left untreated. Honeydew does not damage paint.

Once the insect is under control, the sooty mold and honeydew will disappear. Left untreated, it can damage the palms and plants. Control of Spiraling Whitefly is best achieved by using a systemic (spraying the head of the palm, canopy, leaves) by drenching and spraying all infested trees and plants in combination with a contact spray, spreader stick, and liquid fertilizer. If you have this pest and would like a specialist, we recommend you contact Mark @ M.D. Pest Control (561) 351 – 4442 for an experienced, competitively priced and competent person to treat this problem.

If you are in south Florida, we would love to be of service if we can, if not, I sincerely hope some may gain something helpful from the above, and wish you all the best with your project!

Universal Landscape, Inc.