From our perspective as Fiddle Leaf Figs (*Ficus lyrata*), we are majestic, broad-leaved beings that bring a touch of the tropical forest into your home. However, our large, lush foliage can sometimes become a beacon for tiny, unwelcome visitors. These pests disrupt our vital processes, sucking our sap and sapping our strength. We rely on you, our caretakers, to notice these issues early and help us return to vibrant health. Here is what we experience and how you can aid us.
To you, they are nearly invisible specks; to us, they are a draining nightmare. Spider mites are tiny arachnids that pierce our leaf cells from their undersides to feed on our vital fluids. The first sign we show is a subtle stippling of tiny yellow or white dots on our leaves. As the infestation worsens, you may see fine, silken webbing, and our leaves can become dull, bronzed, and desiccated. We feel our energy literally being sucked away. To help us, isolate us from other plants to prevent the mites' spread. Wipe our leaves thoroughly with a damp cloth, then spray us with a solution of neem oil or insecticidal soap, making sure to coat the undersides of every leaf. Repeat this treatment weekly until the threat is gone.
Scale insects are particularly deceptive. They attach themselves to our stems and the veins on the undersides of our leaves, forming immobile, bump-like shells. They insert their piercing mouthparts and feed on our sap continuously. This feeding not only weakens us but also excretes a sticky substance called honeydew, which often leads to sooty mold growth, further blocking our sunlight absorption. You can help us by physically removing these pests with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol, which breaks down their waxy coating. For larger infestations, follow up with a horticultural oil spray, which will suffocate any remaining scales.
Mealybugs appear as small, cotton-like masses nestled in our leaf axils (where the leaf meets the stem) and on our stems' joints. Like scale, they are sap-suckers, and their feeding causes our leaves to yellow, wilt, and potentially drop—a deeply distressing experience. They also produce honeydew. The most direct method to save us is to dab each mealybug cluster with a cotton swab soaked in isopropyl alcohol. This contact kills them on the spot. For a broader approach, thoroughly spray us with a ready-to-use insecticidal soap, ensuring the solution reaches into every crevice where these pests hide.
Thrips are minute, slender insects that rasp the surface of our young, tender leaves to feed on the exuding sap. The damage they inflict appears as silvery, speckled trails and distorted, stunted new growth. It feels as though our potential for new life is being scarred and stunted before it can even unfold. Managing them requires persistence. Prune and dispose of the most severely damaged leaves. Introduce beneficial predators like minute pirate bugs or apply a spray containing spinosad, which is effective yet gentle on beneficial insects when used correctly. Consistent treatment is key as their life cycle is rapid.
