As a Fiddle-Leaf Fig, I, *Ficus lyrata*, am a majestic being. My large, violin-shaped leaves are my pride, but their lush, dense foliage can unfortunately become a welcoming home for tiny, uninvited guests. These pests drain my sap, weaken my structure, and mar my beautiful foliage. From my perspective, here is a detailed account of these common adversaries and the best ways to help me eliminate them.
These are perhaps my most dreaded foe. Spider mites are nearly microscopic arachnids that thrive in hot, dry conditions—often exacerbated by indoor heating. You might not see them, but I feel them. They pierce my leaf cells and suck out their contents, leaving behind a tell-tale stippling of tiny yellow or white dots. In severe cases, they spin fine, silky webbing, usually on the undersides of my leaves. To help me, increase humidity around me with a humidifier or regular misting. Wipe my leaves top and bottom with a damp cloth weekly. For an infestation, isolate me and thoroughly spray me with a neem oil solution or an insecticidal soap, making sure to coat the leaf undersides.
Mealybugs are soft-bodied insects that look like tiny tufts of white cotton. They love to hide in the crevices where my leaves meet the main stem. They cluster together and feed on my sap, causing my leaves to yellow, wilt, and potentially drop. They also excrete a sticky substance called honeydew, which can lead to sooty mold. To remove them, you can use a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol to dab each bug directly—this dissolves their protective waxy coating. Follow up with a thorough spray of insecticidal soap to eliminate any crawlers you missed.
Scale insects are tricky. They attach themselves to my stems and the veins on the undersides of my leaves, forming hard or soft brown, bumpy shells. Once attached, they remain stationary, feeding on my sap and weakening me significantly. Their honeydew excretion is also a problem. Because their shell protects them, they are resistant to many sprays. The most effective method is physical removal. Gently scrape them off with your fingernail or a soft brush. After removal, wipe the area with a soapy water solution to clean up any residue and discourage their return.
While the adult gnats flying around my base are merely annoying, their larvae are the real problem. These tiny white worms live in the soil and feed on my delicate root hairs and organic matter. This disrupts my ability to take up water and nutrients, leading to stunted growth and general unhappiness. The key to control is targeting the larvae. Allow the top few inches of my soil to dry out completely between waterings, as this kills the larvae. You can also use yellow sticky traps to catch the adults and break their breeding cycle.
Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that usually appear in groups on my new, tender growth and the undersides of young leaves. They suck sap, causing my precious new leaves to curl, pucker, and become deformed. Like mealybugs and scale, they produce honeydew. A strong blast of water from a showerhead or hose can often dislodge a mild infestation. For more persistent problems, insecticidal soap or neem oil applications are very effective. Please ensure you check my new growth regularly, as this is their favorite territory.
