Azalea Insect Problems - Lace Bug Damage To Azaleas

Lace bug damage to azaleas normally occurs on the leaves and will look like silvery, white, or yellow spots. This is caused by these azalea insects, literally sucking small sections of the leaf dry and killing that section of the leaf. As these azalea leaf pests move on across the leaf, more and more spots will appear.

How do you get rid of lace bugs on azaleas?

For adult lace bugs, recommended spray insecticides include acephate, bifenthrin, lambda cyhalothrin, malathion, and cyfluthrin. Acephate may give the best control, as this insecticide is a foliar systemic that will move through the leaves to kill the lace bugs on the undersides of the leaves.

Will lace bugs kill my azaleas?

Identifying Lace Bug Damage

Lace bugs especially seek out azaleas growing in sunny spots. Lace bugs and their larvae feed on azaleas and other flowering plants and shrubs throughout the growing season, using their sharp mouthparts to pierce plant foliage and suck the juices from leaves.

What does lace bug damage look like?

The initial damage shows up as light yellow stippling on the surface of the leaves. ... On rhododendrons, severe damage may look like iron chlorosis with yellow leaves and green veins. Lace bugs leave small black fecal spots on the underside of leaves. Exuvia, or cast skins, are also often present.

How do you treat lace bugs?

If only a few lace bugs and little or no damage is observed, wash lace bugs off infested plants with a strong stream of water from a garden hose. Repeated applications of insecticidal soaps (M-Pede®) or horticultural oils are also effective in controlling lace bug populations.

How do I keep lace bugs off my azaleas?

The first method to try is to spray the plant down with a sprayer on the hose. This can knock the pests of the plant and disorient them enough to prevent re-infestation. You can also try spraying the plants with neem oil or white oil. Lace bug damage to azaleas does not have to be devastating.

What is killing my azalea bushes?

Two boring insects that cause dying branches on azaleas include the rhododendron borer and the rhododendron stem borer. ... There is no conventional insecticide that kills the larvae because they are protected inside the branch. The best treatment is to cut back affected branches in early spring and late summer.

When Should I spray my azalea lace bug?

Early to mid spring is the best time to control the first generation of the bugs. Proper insecticide application timing will reduce need for further sprays during the rest of the growing season. Insecticidal soap, horticultural oil, neem oil and most synthetic insecticides provide good control of lace bugs on azaleas.

Are used coffee grounds good for azaleas?

Coffee grounds are highly acidic, they note, so they should be reserved for acid-loving plants like azaleas and blueberries. And if your soil is already high in nitrogen, the extra boost from coffee grounds could stunt the growth of fruits and flowers.

What is wrong with my azalea?

The fungus Phytophthora species causes one of the most common disease problems in the landscape for rhododendron and azalea. This fungus is a “water mold,” and thrives in poorly drained or wet conditions. ... Rhododendron leaves will curl inward and droop. Drought can cause similar symptoms.

How do you get rid of lace bugs naturally?

Avoid using broad-spectrum insecticides that destroy the lace bug's predators. Once they are gone, the plant has no natural defense against lace bugs, and you might develop a spider mite problem. Instead, use insecticidal soap, neem oil, or narrow-range oil.

How do you treat avocado lace bugs?

If populations are increasing and are anticipated to cause intolerable damage (such as lace bugs caused defoliation in previous seasons) rely on “soft” or short-persistence materials such as insecticidal soaps or oils. Most contact insecticides kill avocado lace bugs if sprayed directly onto the insects.

What is the white stuff on my azaleas?

Powdery Mildew – This azalea disease appears as white powdery growth on the leaves and occurs most often during fall. Diseased leaves may drop prematurely. May require fungicide spray.

What bugs attack azaleas?

This includes azalea lace bugs, spider mites, azalea bark scales, azalea twig borers, azalea leafminers and azalea caterpillars. The most prevalent insect attacking azaleas is the lace bug. They are so named because of their lace-like wings.

Are lace bugs beneficial?

Lace bugs are insects that are present throughout Kansas feeding on a variety of plant types; however, lace bugs are not really a major insect pest of garden and landscape plants because they typically do not inflict significant direct harm to plants.

Are lace bugs harmful?

Lace bug damage is unsightly, but not fatal. Your plants, shrubs and trees will have an unattractive appearance due to the discoloration of the leaf and the dark, ugly spotting, but will not die. If your plants suffer heavy infestation for a long time, the lace bug damage could result in plants dropping their leaves.

Can I make my own insecticidal soap?

Fill a 1-gallon jug with water—either distilled or tap, as long as yours is not hard water (hard water reduces the effectiveness of insecticidal soap)—and leave a couple of inches at the top. Then add 2-½ tablespoons liquid dish soap (Dawn or liquid castile soap are good choices) and 2-½ tablespoons vegetable oil.

How do you get rid of aphids on azaleas?

Spray plants with a commercial insecticidal soap. Dilute the soap at a rate of 2 teaspoons per quart of water for a light infestation to 2 1/2 tablespoons per quart for a heavy infestation. You can also make your own insecticidal soap, but homemade soaps are stronger and may damage plants.

How do you rejuvenate old azaleas?

When rejuvenating an azalea or rhododendron, fertilize the year before to prepare the plant and then fertilize again in spring (end of April) after the hard pruning to stimulate growth. For smaller azaleas, use bypass pruners to make the cuts. For larger jobs, you may need a folding saw or a pair of loppers.

How do I revive my azaleas?

When pruning azaleas to revive the plant, find a handful of the largest branches and cut them by a third or half. With the remaining branches, cut them to maintain the plant shape desired.

What is the lifespan of an azalea?

Remove any damaged leaves and burn at a remote location to prevent the contamination of other plants. Azalea bushes can live for 50 years with proper care.