Above: The effects of Whitefly on an untreated ficus hedge

If they are...

You likely have the Ficus Whitefly, Singhiella simplex.  This pest is relatively new to South Florida, but is quickly becoming an epidemic.

Please utilize the information on this website to educate yourself about the needs to control this damaging pest and to ensure the survival of your ficus hedges and trees.

Continue reading to find helpful links to other sources of whitefly information, but click below to see a Channel 4 report on the ficus whitefly.

Ficus Whitefly on Channel 4 News

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Green Horizon Services, Inc. is a fully licensed, insured, and certified Landscape and Plant Heath Care company.

What to look for...

• Ficus hedges and trees without their leaves is the most obvious symptom of a whitefly infestation. This defoliation is commonly called "leaf drop".
• Small white winged insects, resembling very small moths with yellow bodies and white wings are present in your hedges.
• These whiteflies feed primarily on the undeside of a ficus leaf with their "needle-like" mouth parts.
• Also found on the underside of the ficus leaves, you can find eggs and nymphs. Click here to see whitefly eggs
• Infested leaves begin to turn yellow and are then dropped from the plant.

Recent Findings...     

• Although efforts to introduce natural predators have been attempted, the results on a large scale have not been proven to be effective.
• Insecticidal soap or oil sprays may be effective, but this will require thorough coverage and frequent repeat applications (7-10 days) for the duration of this epidemic.

For Best Results...

• Use a certified pest control operator to apply a systemic pesticide via a "root drench" to provide a longer lasting protection period.
• A properly designed program should limit the treatments to twice per year.  
• A 3-part formulation (systemic, foliar, and fertilizer) should be used when "leaf drop" is significant.
• Warning: Beware of companies that tell you that you either need more than two applications per year, or they want to come back within 30-90 days.
• Warning: Beware of companies that offer a foliar-only treatment. This is a  short term treatment that only provides protection to the contacted areas.

Call now to Speak to an expert

Dade: 305-254-0048 - Broward: 954-584-9544 - Palm Beach: 561-968-7515