Question
Please help me....I've tried alot of things.  I have pests that are inside the stalks of my banana trees and they have moved over onto the canaas as well.  They are somewhat small, gray/color with white wings.  I have tried Seven dust, malathion, even basic dishwashing soap mixed with water.  They will die but others reappear right away.... they are eating the leaves and brown spots are on the stalks which looks like a disease.  Any ideas?

Answer
Dear Lisa, Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you, but I was caught in the storms in Texas and we lost internet for a while.  Anyway it could be several different types of bugs, thrips, aphids, weevils, but the important thing to remember is that when you spray, and I would go with Malathion or even something stronger, but spray thoroughly to the dripping point, and then automatically spray again one week later, and then spray again one week after that.  Especially when you have a plant that is infested, you have several things going on at once.  The bugs on the plant are laying eggs which will hatch at some time after the spray has been applied, some bugs are flying somewhere else when you spray, some are hiding deep in the foliage or dropping to the soil, and when you have bugs that are drilling inside the plant, you also have bugs that haven't gotten exposed yet.  I would plan on spraying exactly one week apart for maybe as long as six weeks and then you will see real success.  I am currently going through the same exasperation with mealy bugs on some of my plants so I can sympathize.  You will see an end to the bugs, it will just take a while.  Good luck, Melissa