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Fig eating bugs!

17 years ago

Another post by the newcomer, does anyone else have problems with insects eating their largest most luscious figs? Well, I do! The list of thieves includes but is not limited to: ants(a few different kinds), wasps(again a couple of kinds), leaf legged plant bugs, squash bugs, other stink-bug-shaped-types of bugs, various types of small beatles, and flies.

I hate using pesticides. Any solutions?

I only have one Brown Turkey Fig. It produces copious quantities of large sweet fruit but I lose 75% of it to the above mentioned. And they seem to choose the best fruits. It makes me so mad. Especially the leaf legged plant bugs who have the audacity to mate while devouring my precious crop. They have a Roman orgy -- glutony and copulation -- at the expense of my figs every summer.

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Comments (4)

User
17 years ago
Yes: Screen it in using Window screen material and Light wood frames.This will be the only way in Florida do to high humidity.
I think there are more bugs in Florida than in any other fig growing area.Regards
bjs496
17 years ago
Beanhead,

I have the same issues in Houston. I'm not sure even a screen is going to keep all the bugs out. I've used Neem oil in the past with pretty good success. Other things to do to help yourself out is to spray the underside of the leaves with water when it is raining outside. Leaf-footed bugs can be pinged off the leaf and when they fall to the ground, STOMP ON THEM. I have also heard they prefer a certain kind of bean plant and will gravitate to it if its growing close by. You control them by killing them before they procreate.

Wasps tend to be predatory insects and will help control some of the other insects. If you can co-exist with them, it may help your cause a bit.

One other thing to note: The bugs seem to go after my more stressed trees, and they seem to leave the other ones alone. Keeping your trees healthy is another good defense against bugs.

Good luck,
~james
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That is a shame. That is what often happens with Brunswick (AKA Magnolia) figs that are commonly grown in Texas. Once you get a bug infestation on your tree, it is hard to get a fully ripe one before the bugs. However, Brunswick figs can be picked (saved) before they are completely ripe and before the bugs have a chance to get inside......and these early picked figs will make an excellent preserve. The trick to avoiding this problems is to find and grow closed eyed figs that keep those bugs out. Also, honey or resin sealed varieties which have no hollow (void) areas inside the pulp. Any bug that can enter through the eye of a fig can carry yeast and other microorganisms on their body. The yeast ferments the honey/sugar that is inside of the fig and those souring micro organisms can make it go sour. A real PITA for those of us in a hot rainy climate. Dan
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beanhead
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks for the input. The wasps (they look like wasps) that I see on the figs are eating the figs! I've observed them closely. And they take mouthfuls of fig flesh, chew it, and swallow. I was very surprised as I thought all wasps were as you said predatory but these arn't. They sit there feasting with the rest of them.

What is Neem oil? Is it an insecticide? I've seen it in the garden section before but I rarely by insecticides and such so I am basically ignorant of most common products.
bjs496
17 years ago
Neem is an orange like plant that grows in India which they extract the oil from. The claims are that buts don't like the scent of it, and it also has some property that may disrupt the mating cycle of bugs. I used it last year with pretty good success. I sprayed it on the leaves and wood once a week for three (maybe four, I don't remember exactly) at the recommended rate. I also sprayed the underside of the leaves and the limbs with water during rains. The bugs hang out under the leaves for protection. Spraying the underside of the leaves drives them out.

Here is a link that might be useful: Neem Oil

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