Question
I was given two large Ficus about 9'-10' tall. They appear to be doing ok, but we are loosing some leaves and they are secreting a sticky sap type liquid all over the floor from the leaf canopy area. I am not familiar with this and would love to keep them for our game room, but cannot ruin the floor in doing so. I appreciate your expertise.
Tom  

Answer
Tom,

The sticky stuff is honeydew. It is the excrement of insects which may be why the trees were given to you. The insects are either scale or aphids. The easiest way to get rid of them is to pick up a bottle of Bayer Advanced Tree & Shrub Protec & Feed. It will run around $20.00 at Lowes or Home Depot but it is a systemic, you just mix it with water according to the instructions and water the trees. It will kill either insect and keep insects away for a year.

As for the floor, you can wipe the honeydew up with towels soaked in rubbing alcohol, it will not harm the floor and residue will quickly evaporate. Good luck.

Darlene