Preventing Palm Tree Pests

Preventing palm tree pests is key to ensuring that your clients enjoy the palms you have installed for them. And, getting the advice you need can come from no better resource than Palmco. With four generations of experienced Florida palm growers, we can help you with all your palm tree needs.

Palmco, a family owned business, is home to one of the largest palm tree plantations in the US. In fact, our more than 600 acres, located on gorgeous Pine Island, is home to a multitude of palm varieties that range from exotic and rare to the most abundant and widely used.

When you need help preventing palm tree pests, Palmco experts are prepared to provide the right advice. We are dedicated to the care and nourishment of the palm trees we grow and take pride in our green growing processes. These ensure that our trees are spoon fed and that moisture and nutrients are contained at critical root zone levels. This is one way we prevent pests. But keep reading for additional assistance.

Understanding Palm Tree Pests

If your client’s palm trees are looking like they are under attack, it is important to understand that most palm tree pests are insects. These insects can cause a damage to trees, but with Palmco’s expert assistance you can diagnose and prevent them. Here’s what you need to know to understand some common palm tree pests:

Mealy Bugs. There are several different kinds of mealy bugs, and some of them will infect the roots of palm trees. You may not see them unless you disturb the dirt around the palm itself. They are sucking insects and will leave behind a sticky substance, or a fluffy white coating, on leaves and stems.

Palm Aphids. These irritating creatures will typically colonize around the palm bud area or places of new growth. They, too, are sucking insects. You may see blackish brown spots on leaves. These spots will have a waxy white ring around them. Unfortunately, sooty mold (a fungus) likes these spots and can make your leaves look like they have a black powdery coat. Thankfully, this mold won’t damage the palm and is easily removed, it’s just ugly.

Scale Insects. This category of palm tree pests includes: Florida red scale, magnolia white, soft brown, and cottony cushion scale. These pests are easy to spot. All you have to look for are colored bumps that are dome- or shell-shaped. These domes are adult bugs but can also be home to eggs and immature insects. They are drawn to new growth areas.

Prevention

When it comes to preventing palm tree pests, it is best to ensure that you are properly watering and fertilizing your trees. Improper usage, or over-usage, can make palm trees more susceptible to debilitating pests and diseases. However, this won’t ensure that pests will never attack.

Making sure that you employ pesticides for prevention and treatment is key. When it comes to sucking or scale insects, we suggest utilizing an insecticidal soap or horticultural oil that contains dimethoate or acephate. This can be done by misting the infected areas, following manufacturer directions, and repeating the process a couple of times. Doing so should eliminate all live bugs and their eggs.

Preventing palm tree pests is an essential part of caring for your client’s palm tree installations. At Palmco, we can assist you in all aspects of palm tree growth and care. If you need additional help, or would like to place an order, please call our experts at (239) 283-1329.