Skip to content
Pocket Botanist
Get the app

Strangler fig · Ficus aurea

How do I get rid of pests on my Strangler fig?

Pests like scale and thrips love to hide on the broad leaves of a Strangler fig. These bugs suck the sap and weaken your tree over time. Inspect the undersides of the leaves and the stems closely.

pests on a plant
Photo: Jules Verne Times Two, CC BY-SA 4.0

Check these first

  1. Inspect the stems for small bumps.
  2. Look at new leaves for silver spots.
  3. Wipe the leaves with a damp cloth to check for sticky residue.

Likely causes

  1. Scale insects

    Most likely

    How to tell: You see small, brown, bump like spots on the stems or leaf veins. These bumps can be scraped off with a fingernail.

    What to do: Wipe the leaves with a cloth dipped in rubbing alcohol. For heavy infestations, spray the entire plant with neem oil every 7 days.

  2. Thrips

    Possible

    How to tell: New leaves look distorted or have tiny silver stippling marks. You might see tiny, slender insects crawling on the foliage.

    What to do: Shower the plant to wash away the insects. Apply insecticidal soap to the leaves every 5 to 7 days for three weeks.

When to worry

Treat pests as soon as you see them. If the leaves are curling or turning brown from damage, the infestation is advanced.

Stopping it coming back

Wipe the leaves down monthly to keep them clean and inspect the plant whenever you water it.

Not sure which one it is? Photograph your strangler fig.

This page lists the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at your actual leaf and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Can I use dish soap to kill bugs?
A mild, non-detergent soap mixed with water can work, but insecticidal soap is safer for the plant.
Should I isolate my plant?
Yes, move the infested plant away from your other houseplants immediately to prevent the pests from spreading.

More problems with Strangler fig

Back to the Strangler fig guide

This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.