Question
My daughter moved to North Carolina and gave me her plants.  2 of them are like thin striated darker colored stands for leaves, another one is like a real palm, wide large leaves on a thick trunk, and the other one was similar to the first on, only a little brighter green..I noticed that the leaves had been sliced, as with scissors, shredded of sorts. On the smaller leaf palm like plants, the strings were tied from leaf to leaf and knotted as if something shaved them into thin strings and tied them together.  Well I immediately removed them from my home, as I was afraid that whatever did that to them would harm my few little plants.  What in the world happened?  Should I destroy the plants?  they are nice plants, but something has gotten ahold of them. Please advise.  thanks.

Answer
Pamela,

I do not know of any insects that shred leaves. It sounds like human damage. To identify it I need to see pictures of it. You can send me pictures to [email protected]  If it is insects spraying the entire plants with straight rubbing alcohol will kill any insects on the plants currently that may damage your other plants. Spray them thoroughly and they should be safe to take back in the house. I would not destroy them. Repeat the spraying twice a week ffor a month and they should be free of any insects because that should take care of any eggs that hatch before they can reproduce. Good luck.

Darlene