Ficus Benjamina has bugs! What are they?

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by lt1yw on January 27, 2005 04:59 AM

Hey all, this is my first post!
I need help with my old Ficus. Its an inherited plant from my deceased grandmother. It is probably 6.5ft tall and at least 15 years old.

The problem is a skinny little bug that is killing the new growth. The new leaves stay curled up and eventually die. When I pry the new leaves open, I see a bunch of these critters. Its dark, about 1-2mm long, and very skinny. Maybe kind of tapered at the tail end. They seem to be only on the new growth.

Please help!
Thanks

by Amy R. on January 27, 2005 06:45 PM

Sorry to hear about your plant. =( It sounds to me like thrips, which are nasty little critters. Here is a link that might help. Good luck!

http://www.thegardenhelper.com/bugs.html

by lt1yw on January 28, 2005 01:55 PM

Bingo! thats them! Thanks so much. I went through the plant last night and cut off all affected leaves that I could see, then sprayed it with a bug killer that should take care of the rest.
Thanks again!

by MissJamie on January 28, 2005 06:15 PM

oh wowzers! i hope i don't get any bugs like that on any of my plants this spring! if you get them again or any other type of bug, i've heard and read that you can mix up a spray in a spray bottle with warm soapy water and spray that on them and it'll kill the bugs but it won't harm the plant. i don't know for sure if this works but sounds good to me [dunno]

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