If the fig feels comfortable in its location, it is rarely attacked by pests and proves to be extremely robust. In the case of potted plants, the most effective prevention is to take the plant outdoors after the first frosts. Do not move the plant to winter storage in the fall until temperatures drop permanently below zero.
The most common fig tree pests:
- fig leaf moth
- spider mites
- scale insects
- leaf suckers
The Fig Leaf Moth
In 2006 the small fig leaf moth was sighted for the first time on the Kaiserstuhl and has been found on many fig trees in recent years. The yellow-black dotted caterpillars feed on the leaves of the fig and cause feeding damage on the upper side of individual leaf lobes. For protection and pupation, the larva rolls up the leaf edges of the fig and protects them with a web of silk threads. The harmful insect causes buckling and discoloration of the foliage in addition to feeding spots.
Effective means
On smaller trees, you can collect the caterpillars and pupae and destroy them. Specialist shops carry suitable sprays that you can use to effectively combat the caterpillars on larger trees.
spider mites
Spider mites are a common problem in dry summers or when the air is dry in winter quarters. The small arachnids often invade and damage the fig massively. Fine white webs, in which you can see the tiny mites, are mainly found on the buds of the leaves. The animals feed on the leaf juices, so that the leaf is inhibited in its growth. The affected fig often sheds many leaves.
combat
The mites die off in high humidity. You can put a transparent plastic bag over small fig trees for a few days to create an artificial greenhouse climate. In the case of mild infestations, this gentle remedy is sufficient in many cases. To prevent massive damage to larger figs, you should treat them with a suitable insecticide.
scale insects
Scale insects often occur when the winter is too warm or when there is too much fertilization. The small yellow, white or brownish animals are protected by a stable chitin shell and suck the leaf juices from the branches and leaves of the fig. They excrete honeydew, on which the plant can also colonize harmful fungi.
measures
Isolate the fig from other plants and collect the pests thoroughly. Increase the humidity by regularly spraying the fig. Spray the plant several times with a spirit-soap solution. Alternatively, you can use plant protection sticks or a suitable insecticide.
tips and tricks
Spirit soft soap solution is a cheap and environmentally friendly spray with which you can effectively combat many harmful insects. Mix one tablespoon of liquid soft soap (€44.90) with one tablespoon of denatured alcohol and pour the mixture into a spray bottle filled with one liter of water. Spray all parts of the plant thoroughly every few days.
SKb