If you’re a plant parent, you know how frustrating it can be to deal with pests on your plants. One common pest that affects zebra plants is called lerp. Lerps are small, white, waxy coatings that cover the leaves and stems of your plants. They are caused by tiny insects called psyllids, which suck the sap from your zebra plant.
If left untreated, lerps can cause damage to your zebra plant and even kill it. In this article, we’ll teach you how to get rid of lerps on your zebra plant and prevent them from coming back.
Before you can treat lerps on your zebra plant, you need to identify them first. Lerps look like small, white, waxy bumps on the leaves and stems of your zebra plant. They can also cause yellowing or browning of the leaves, as well as stunted growth.
To check for lerps on your zebra plant, inspect the leaves and stems closely. If you see small white bumps that look like tiny volcanoes, then you have lerps.
The first step in getting rid of lerps is to remove them from your zebra plant. You can do this by gently scraping them off with your fingers or a soft-bristled brush. Be careful not to damage the leaves or stems while doing this.
If there are only a few lerps on your zebra plant, this method should work fine. However, if there are many lerps, you may need to use a different method.
One effective way to get rid of lerps on your zebra plant is to use a natural insecticide. There are several natural insecticides you can use, such as neem oil or insecticidal soap.
To use neem oil, mix 1-2 tablespoons of neem oil with 1 quart of water and spray it onto your zebra plant. Be sure to cover the leaves and stems thoroughly. Neem oil works by suffocating the psyllids that cause lerps.
Insecticidal soap works by breaking down the outer coating of the psyllids, which causes them to dehydrate and die. To use insecticidal soap, mix 2-3 tablespoons of soap with 1 quart of water and spray it onto your zebra plant. Be sure to cover the leaves and stems thoroughly.
One way to prevent lerps from coming back is to maintain good plant hygiene. This means regularly cleaning your zebra plant’s leaves and stems to remove any dust or debris that may attract psyllids.
You should also avoid over-fertilizing your zebra plant, as this can make it more susceptible to pests like psyllids.
While chemical insecticides may be effective in getting rid of lerps, we recommend using natural insecticides instead. Chemical insecticides can be harmful to your zebra plant and may even kill beneficial insects that help keep pests under control.
If you notice lerps on your zebra plant, you should treat it immediately. Depending on the severity of the infestation, you may need to treat your zebra plant every week or two until the problem is resolved.
Yes, you can prevent lerps from coming back by maintaining good plant hygiene and avoiding over-fertilization. You should also inspect your zebra plant regularly for signs of pests or diseases.
Lerps can be a frustrating pest to deal with on your zebra plant, but they can be treated and prevented with the right methods. By identifying the problem, removing the lerps, using natural insecticides, and maintaining good plant hygiene, you can keep your zebra plant healthy and pest-free.