Lice are among the most common pests on the birch fig. So that the sucking pests do not deprive your Benjamini of the vital plant sap, they have to move away. The control method depends on whether you are dealing with aphids or armored scale insects. There is usually no need to resort to chemical insecticides, as the following home remedies put an end to the plague.
How to remove lice from a Ficus Benjamini?
To remove lice from a Ficus Benjamini, you can use ecological methods such as rinsing with water or dusting with rock dust. A soft soap solution helps with aphids, while scale insects can be wiped off with alcohol.
Getting rid of aphids – tips for ecological control
They are tiny, black, brown, yellow or white, and colonize leaves and shoots. Aphids suck up the plant sap and weaken your Benjamini, which in the long term can lead to leaf drop and the death of the entire plant. The sooner you take action against this disastrous activity, the more effective the fight will be. These home remedies have proven themselves in practice:
- Cover the root ball with a plastic bag to rinse the birch fig upside down
- Alternatively, dust the Benjamini with rock dust
The soft soap solution has emerged as the most effective weapon against aphids on houseplants. It is very easy to make: to 1 liter of rainwater, add 1 tablespoon each of soft soap and spirit as well as a splash of dishwashing liquid as an emulsifier. Spray the tops and bottoms of the leaves every 2 days.
Get rid of scale insects - effective methods without chemicals
Scale insects are not disturbed by the soft soap solution because they are protected by a sturdy shell. However, the pests have little resistance to high-proof alcohol. If you have discovered the small bumps on the leaves, soak a soft cloth with alcohol and wipe off the lice.
If the pests are sitting in hidden niches, cotton swabs become an effective aid. Briefly dipped in alcohol and dab the scale insects repeatedly. The alcohol dissolves the shell, whereupon the soft bodies underneath dry out and die.
Tip
If the leaves of your birch fig are covered with silvery speckles, thrips have attacked the plant. The larvae bore into the leaf tissue to cause considerable damage. With a modification of the classic soft soap solution, you can put an end to the goings-on. The mix consists of 20 g soft soap, 50 ml denatured alcohol and 1/2 teaspoon each of rock powder and s alt per 1 liter of boiled water.