Question
Dear Dan,
Hope you can help me with my small stag horn fern.  There are what looks like pin-size eggs all over leaves. When eggs hatch there are teeny pin-head size bugs that come out.  I cleaned the eggs off that leaf and now the entire plant is covered with them!  What is this.  The leaves are green at this time but I'd like to treat it so I can save my fern.  

Location is a northwest facing lanai in Ft. Myers, FL.  Thanks so much!
Woody Peek

Answer
Woody hi;

From your description, it sounds like you may have some spider-mites.

Of course, in order to know for sure, I would need to see some close detailed pictures of said eggs and bugs.

Regardless, the quickest and easiest solution would be mixing a cup with 50% water and 50% dish detergent, and then wiping that with a wet rag all over the plants (both leaf surfaces, top and bottom).  Leave that for 48 hours and then repeat with clean water.

Also, you need to look around your plant to try and identify where the bugs are coming from and, if needed, eliminate the problem.

If this does not solve your problem, then I would suggest sending me some samples so I can look under the microscope and identify exactly what kind of pest you have and then suggest the appropriate pesticide (chemical or natural, depending on the pest and your preferences).

In any case, I hope the first solution does the trick.

Best of luck!

DC