If you have an umbrella plant, you may have noticed tiny white, waxy bumps on the leaves. These bumps are called lerps and they are caused by a tiny insect called the lerp psyllid. While lerps themselves don’t typically cause harm to the plant, the insects that cause them can damage the leaves and make your plant look unsightly. Here’s how to get rid of lerps on your umbrella plant.
Before you can get rid of lerps, you need to make sure that’s what you’re dealing with. Lerps are small, white, waxy bumps that are about the size of a pinhead. They can be found on the underside of leaves and sometimes on stems. If you see these bumps, chances are you have a lerp psyllid infestation.
The first step in getting rid of lerps is to remove any infested leaves. This will help prevent the insects from spreading and will also remove any eggs or nymphs that may be hiding on the leaves. Use pruning shears or scissors to cut off any leaves that have visible lerps.
Once you’ve removed infested leaves, it’s time to wash your plant. Use a gentle stream of water to wash off any remaining lerps or insects. Be sure to get both sides of the leaves and all parts of the plant. You may need to do this several times over the course of a few weeks to completely get rid of the infestation.
Neem oil is a natural insecticide that can help get rid of lerps on your umbrella plant. Mix one tablespoon of neem oil with one quart of water and spray your plant thoroughly. Be sure to get both sides of the leaves and all parts of the plant. Repeat this process every two weeks until the infestation is gone.
Insecticidal soap is another option for getting rid of lerps. Mix one tablespoon of insecticidal soap with one quart of water and spray your plant thoroughly. Be sure to get both sides of the leaves and all parts of the plant. Repeat this process every two weeks until the infestation is gone.
One of the best ways to prevent lerp psyllids from infesting your umbrella plant is to keep it healthy. Make sure your plant is getting enough water and sunlight, and avoid over-fertilizing. Healthy plants are less susceptible to insect infestations.
Rubbing alcohol can be effective at killing lerps, but it can also damage your plant. It’s best to avoid using rubbing alcohol unless you have no other options.
Insecticidal soap is safe for most plants, but it’s always a good idea to test it on a small area first to make sure your plant doesn’t have an adverse reaction.
Getting rid of a lerp psyllid infestation can take several weeks, depending on the severity of the infestation. Be patient and persistent in your efforts to get rid of the insects.