Homemade Camellia Pest Control

Scale Insects

• Scale insects attach themselves to leaves and stems to feed on plant sap. Symptoms of damage include yellowing of leaves, fewer or smaller blossoms, twig dieback and possibly death. Tea scale is the most serious and common scale affecting camellia. Female tea scales range from dark brown to gray and black. Males are smaller and white.

Scale Control

• Light scale infestations can be controlled by picking or gently scrubbing the insects from leaves. Leaves and branches with scale insects should be removed and disposed of promptly. A cotton swab soaked in alcohol is an effective control method for small scale infestations. For larger infestations mix 1 tbsp. of soap per quart of water in a spray bottle and spray the entire plant, including the undersides of leaves.

Weevils

• The black vine weevil, another pest common to camellias, features brown adults with elongated snouts and white grub larvae. The adult insects do not fly and typically feed on foliage. Damage appears as notched or ragged holes on leaves and flowers. Stems may appear as if they have been clipped from the plant. Larvae inflict the most serious damage by feeding on the roots, leading to weakening of the plant.

Weevil Control

• Remove and destroy adults to prevent chewing damage. When planting new camellias, inspect the roots for white grubs. To prevent the flightless adult weevil from moving to neighboring plants, plant camellias so they don't touch each other. Adult weevils can be captured through the use of a pitfall trap. To make a trap, use a funnel and wide-mouthed plastic cup or dish that is several inches deep. Place the funnel inside the cup or dish so insects cannot escape. Bury the trap as close to the base of the plant as possible at a depth where the top is flush or slightly below the soil surface. Check traps often and discard captured weevils.