Azalea Lacebug Control
The best time to take on azalea lacebugs is the spring, their hatching season, which usually unleashes a hungry crowd of these harmful pests. As their name suggests, azalea lacebugs feed on azaleas, as well as some types of rhododendrons. Concealing themselves on the undersides of leaves, they become visible when white or yellow flecks begin to appear on the upper surfaces. If they’re left unchecked, the tops of leaves may take on a grey or silver color.
In March, start checking your azaleas and rhododendrons for the marks that signal the early stages of damage. Inspections should continue throughout the summer.
Fortunately, azaleas can stand up to a lot of lacebugs without major effects on blooms or growth. The visible traces of their presence may mean that plants look less healthy than they actually are. But the damage can worsen quickly, so the soundest approach is to prevent it from starting. Southern Lawns applies a preventative in early spring, as vulnerable new growth is beginning to appear.
