SHREVEPORT, La. - As temperatures rise across the ArkLaTex, gardeners may begin noticing signs of damage on their azaleas caused by one of the shrub's most common pests — azalea lace bugs.
During this week's KTBS Garden Club segment, gardening expert Jennifer McGimsey from Akin's Nursery shared tips for identifying and treating the insects before they cause significant damage to plants.
According to McGimsey, the first sign of an infestation is often visible on the upper side of azalea leaves, which may appear pale, discolored, or bleached. A closer look underneath the leaves can reveal dark, tar-like spots left behind by the insects.
"There are a few different ways to treat for lace bugs," McGimsey said.
The best defense is prevention. Gardeners who applied a spring fertilizer containing an insecticide may have already protected their plants earlier in the season. However, for those now seeing signs of damage, treatment options are still available.
One option is a natural insecticide that should be applied during the cooler morning hours to avoid damaging plants in the heat of the day. McGimsey advises gardeners to thoroughly spray the undersides of leaves where the insects are most commonly found.
Another effective treatment is a systemic insecticide, which is absorbed into the plant's tissues and works from the inside out. Because the product is taken up by the plant, it does not require direct contact with every insect and typically remains effective longer than topical treatments that can wash away in rain.
McGimsey noted that systemic insecticides work particularly well against foliage-sucking insects such as lace bugs but should be used with caution when plants are blooming because the chemicals can reach the nectar and potentially impact pollinators.
Fortunately for azalea owners, summer is an ideal time for treatment since most azaleas are not in bloom.