White fluffy balls on branches

[kcpoole]

Hi all

I have 2 trees with white fluffy Balls of something along the branches!
they are growing on the branches of a melaleuca occasionally and now have them of a trident maple as well ( in the last 2 days)

They are soft an fluffy and when you brush them they fluff pulls away in long soft strands. They are attached to the branches and some of the maple leaves.
Any ideas on what it is and what the solution to controlling them?

Ken

[tgward]

cottony cush? mealy bug?----probably pyrethrum or eco oil

[Kevin]

Hello Ken,

Agree with Tgward.
And the black substance is sooty mould, a sugary excretion from the bugs which blackens with age and attracts ants. The ants feed on the sugary excretion and in turn protect the bugs from many predators.
Hope the link helps?

http://www.yates.com.au/problem-solver/ ... vCOKwJV.97

Good luck with the bugs.

Kevin

[kcpoole]

OK thanks guys. I found a site about mealy bug earlier tonight so went out and sprayed with soapy water, as I figured I cannot hurt

[bodhidharma]

And that black thingy under your thumbnail was caused by the notorious hammer bug and can be treated with Beer information was sourced from the "Bodhidharma" school of experience ERR, thumbs up

[kcpoole]

And that black thingy under your thumbnail was caused by the notorious hammer bug and can be treated with Beer information was sourced from the "Bodhidharma" school of experience ERR, thumbs up

Ahh no beer needed unfortunately!!!
Up a Ladder, and nailing timber upsidedown!

Luckily i did not fall off

Ken

[1nd1go]

Hey guys. I also have a trident maple with these fluffy bugs on it. I was wondering what effects they have on a bonsai. I have a few bonsai's and only one of them have these bugs on them and compared to my other bonsai's it doesn't seem to be doing aswell as the others, some deformity in the leaves aswell as black burnt tips on some leaves. I'm a bit worried about it as it's never happened before. Could it be the bugs? Any help would be really appreciated.

Daniel

[Kevin]

Hello Daniel,

The bugs are bad news for your plants but not disastrous as they are easily removed by hand or by spraying - there's a link above for spray.
I find poor air circulation and moist environments around the plants tend to attract mealy bugs.
Google mealy bugs for more info and carefully remove all bugs present for now.

Good Luck,
Kevin

[hawkeyes]

Hi Ken, how did the soap insecticide work?

[kcpoole]

So for they are still there. I will spray again tomorrow if its fine

Sent from my SM-G800Y using Tapatalk

[1nd1go]

Keep us updated on how you go. I'm having trouble getting rid of them aswell. Sprayed twice with confidor and they keep coming back. Harder to get rid of than I thought.

[kcpoole]

Keep us updated on how you go. I'm having trouble getting rid of them aswell. Sprayed twice with confidor and they keep coming back. Harder to get rid of than I thought.

It was suggested last night to use metho,
Sprayed on the affected areas.

And yes I still have them tho not as bad i think

Ken

[KIRKY]

Hi Ken,
If only a few I just squash them between my fingers. More than that I don't muck anout with them just get the Confidor does the trick.
Cheers
Kirky