Garden Pest

[visitor]

Hello

I have a house witha small garden in Carvoeiro. I have not been there for a couple of months and a lot of plants seem to have some sort of white fungus or pest on them - this looks almost like maggots in little clusters but they look dry, do not seem to move and are slightly sticky and gooey when you touch them. Does anyone know what this is and how to get rid of it? Also I need someone to water the garden once a week or so - any suggestions?

[biffa]

sounds like a form of white fly. I get it on my hibiscus and its a job to shift. Go to SaniPina in Lagoa behind Mestre Maco with some leaves and show 'em

[Sandy]

I thought this sounded like mealy bug infestation - I'm told by my friend that she uses a water/dishwash detergent mix in a spray to get rid of them.

[John1]

Hi Visitor,
I may be interested in watering your garden. Please click on 'pm' and send me a private message with details.
Regards,
John

[digger]

that’s a good tip Sandy … the fairy liquid
these pesticides are too power, they can damage the plants
I don’t know about this particular type of bug, but for greenfly etc., just spray with a weak (+/- 100:1) water:fairy liquid solution. If you don’t get them all the first time, spray a little more the next day

[pm]

Could it be woolly aphid. http://www.hdra.org.uk/factsheets/pc8.htm
Very hard to get rid of as the coating stops insecticides and washing up liquid doesn't get through either. Painting them with a small brush dipped in meths works, but it is slow going

[biffa]

Yep - the woolly aphid descripton sounds accurate. I reckon that is what we have got. My hibiscus is covered again - happens every year which is very boring.

[guest again]

Does the wooly aphid kill the plant or harm it seriously or does it just spoil it a little? Do they die in the winter?

[pm]

According to the link.

a) Not always

b) No