Question
Question
I have had six palm trees die in the past six months,(four Queens and two windmill's) very suddenly. One day they appeared fine and less than a week later they were gone. The centers of the trees just turned loose and would pull out of the tree and be full of very small white worms and the stalks were wet like mush. I'm very concerned as I have approximately 25 palms in my landscape. Any suggestions? Thanks Jim

Answer
Dear Jim, I hope you have a sample of these bugs. This sounds like a job for diazinon or some other serious nuclear attack. Generally palms are pretty immune to pests and diseases and are easy to care for, which is probably one reason you have so many. Take a sample of the problem area, maybe include a picture, get a few of the bugs and go to a reputable nursery for a definitive diagnosis. My other suggestion would be to contact your extension service, which is a service provided to most counties. They might even make a house call. The main thing that you need to do is to get someone to actually see what is going on, tell you what pest you are dealing with, and suggest a chemical and method of application to preserve your palms. I cannot stress the importance of an expert actually looking at the pest. This is an unusual problem and it needs to be attacked with an appropriate chemical approach. I am very sorry that it has taken me so much time to respond - I'm not lazy - my internet provider is currently giving me substandard connections (which is a kind way to put it) and keeps bumping me off. Please let me know what the bug is because I would like to enter updates in my log book. This isn't covered in my books specifically and I have a lot of references here. Good luck Jim, and please let me know how they are doing. Melissa

I have had one foxtail palm die and part of a majesty palm die with the same details as the question above from Jim. Have you heard any more about what his results were? I have tried some insect killer, but not the strongest, and it did not seem to kill the worms - or not quickly. I am going to try some liquid termite killer and see if this works. The only problem I have is I will be out of the country for a month and leaving in a couple of days and will have someone else taking care of my plants, so I do not have time to get with a specialist in my area to diagnose the problem. Please let me know if you heard anymore from Jim or heard anything else about this problem. Thanks, Mark

Answer
Melissa is right on the money on this one.  You have a bugs eating the roots of your plants.  Now that they are starting to die it might be to late for some of them.  Try to get a friend or family member to help you out with this.  This problem must be addressed now if there is any hope of saving your palms.  

Bugs that reside in the soil are very difficult to get rid of.  If you wait until you get home there may be more casualties.

I am sorry I do not have a better answer for you.

Happy Growing and good luck to you.

Kristina