Botanic Garden >> Gardening > >> Question and Answer >> Plant Species >> Annuals

Controlling Scale, Aphids, and Spider Mites on Camellia and Petunias with Ladybugs

Gardener has green/white bugs on hanging petunias, mottled leaves with white bugs on camellia, and white/brown scale on euonymus treated unsuccessfully with malathion and systemic. Plans to use ladybugs for petunias but asks about the rest.

Ladybug Success Story (The Long Island Gardener)

Ladybugs are voracious for scale, aphids, spider mites. Malathion kills ladybugs and is hazardous. The author's mother had a spider plant covered in scale; after stopping malathion and releasing ladybugs, the plant was cured in weeks. A ficus with scale for 2 years was cleaned in 2 weeks by ladybugs outdoors.

Key Points

Don't spray pesticides if using ladybugs.
Ladybugs stay where food is abundant; they'll reproduce and remain.
Sources: Gardens Alive, local nurseries.

Annuals: Green Algae in Orchid Bark and Moss: Florida Humidity, Moss Removal, and Physan Treatment; Hornworm Caterpillars on Petunias: Identification, Damage, and Biological Control; Petunias Dying in One Bed: Phytophthora Root Rot — Soilborne and Host-Specific; Petunias Wilting and Dying: Water, Fungus, Drainage, and Slugs; Why Petunias Feel Sticky: Nature's Insect Defense; Releasing Ladybugs for Earth Day: Benefits, Risks, and Community Project Ideas; Controlling White Bugs on Hanging Basket Petunias: Identification and Organic Treatment; Reviving Frost-Damaged Meyer Lemon in Container; Sources for Butterflies and Ladybugs for Civic Releases; Natural Pest Control: Ladybugs & Beneficial Nematodes In Stock

Garden Articles

Safe Organic Control for Worms and Bugs on Indoor/Outdoor Mini Roses

Little Black Ants on Houseplants? Look for Aphids or Scale

Petunia and Geranium Problems: Worms, Fertilizer Burn, and Root Girdling

Saving a Transplanted Camellia from Shock in Toowoomba

Small Garden Design Mastery: Space Optimization & Visual Expansion at Kite Landscapes

Petunias: Growing Popular Annuals for Containers, Baskets, and Beds

Petunias: How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Popular Annuals

Plants

Petunias Dying Suddenly? Crown Rot from Sprinkler Overwatering

Rescuing Waterlogged Container Petunias: Drainage, Root Aeration, and Recovery

Petunias vs. Surfinias: Trailing vs. Upright Types

Black Dots on High-Rise Petunias: Caterpillars or Flea Beetles?

Window Box Petunias Dying Suddenly? Check for Virus or Overwatering

Reviving Rain-Damaged Trailing Petunias in Hanging Baskets

The "Less is More" Petunia Philosophy: Pinching, Watering, and Fertilizer Truths