Question
There is a lot of sticky white stuff on the new leaves of my pigmy date palm. I was told it is spittle bug and to use any insect spray, which I did, but the white stuff is still there. What can I use to wash it off? Thank you.

Answer
Hi Ginny, it sounds like either mealybugs or whitefly larvae, either can be eradicated by suffocating them with a horticultural oil; spray it on in later afternoon and wash it off next morning before the heat of the day (it being an oil base, and it could burn the fronds). When you wash it off, use a high pressure nozzle to get the residual oil off with the dead insects...you may have to apply twice if the infestation is really bad...let me know ...Nick