One of the great benefits of living in the landscape of South Florida is the dazzling assortment of ornamentals. People around the world come to appreciate these beautiful plants, but only those of us who reside here get to enjoy them year-round. Unfortunately, our array of ornamentals attracts a variety of pests as well.

Here are three of the major suspects and the ornamental plants they’re most likely to affect.

• May-June beetles infest a diverse number of ornamental plants, especially when the plant is producing tender young shoots. While mature adult beetles observed on the exterior of the plant cause little concern, the larvae of the May-June beetle that lives in the soil cause extensive damage to the root systems of ornamentals. These white grubs are up to one inch in length and are active all year round but do most of their damage during wet months from April through June. In most cases, professional application of pesticides specifically formulated for grub control is required.
• The pink hibiscus mealybug is not limited to the hibiscus but utilizes a variety of ornamental plants as hosts. Active year-round in South Florida, the tiny, 1/8-inch long insect can rapidly infest a host plant, severely stunting growth and causing malformed leaves and flowers, frequently leading to the death of the plant. Successful pink hibiscus mealybug management involves the integrated approach utilized by a professional pest control contractor including prevention, biological and other green methods, quarantine of infected plants and the use of certain insecticides.
• Garden snails came from Cuba in the early part of the 20th century. They inhabit South Florida lawns and gardens and consume ornamentals and other plants with a ravenous appetite. The damage caused by garden snails is often acute and makes their presence obvious. DIY control methods often involve  hand-picking snails where and when they’re observed. A professional approach utilizes specific baits and pesticides formulated for snails and applied with careful timing for optimum results.

Since 1985, Haggerty Pest Control has offered personalized service to South Florida homeowners. Contact us for more advice on professional treatments to protect your ornamentals.

Image via Shutterstock.com