Crepe Myrtle Is Extra Sappy And Has Velvety White Insects On It

Question From: Garland, Texas, United States
Q: My crepe myrtle is extra sappy. Large globs of sap are falling. It is right by our patio and it has been so bad we cannot sit out there. What can we do about it? The tree looks healthy but does have some little white velvety insects on it, are they the cause?

A: Your crepe myrtle has aphids that give off a liquid called honey dew. The white insects are either scale or mealy bugs. Spray the tree with neem oil according to package directions being sure to hit the undersides of the leaves. If the tree is large you may want to have a professional do the job. To find one in your area go to www.tcia.org and enter your zip code. Best And Happy Yardening, Nancy