Can't remove the cat(s) ... wonder if bitter apple applied to leaves would be OK for plant and discourage kitties? Thanks for the name of this sticky stuff. Will check for lumps on stem, but don't recall them.

One other question ... does this sap block out light for the plant, i.e., not good for plant. NEVER saw this through several cat residents and same plant.

thanks again

denise

Can you post pics, Denise?

Doesn't sound normal, pls. post a pic.

Sounds like honeydew to me. Pics would be great as others have said.

Are scheffs ok for cats to munch on? I thought I remember reading they're poisonous?

Possibly guttation, but remains to be seen.

Al

Thank you everyone, will take pix tomorrow. No little bumps or lumps on the stems. Kitties don't eat the leaves... just a bite here and there. So far (6 years later) no ill effect for kitties. Tomorrow I promise, thank you again.

OK photos (my camera isn't good at closeups). I think you'll see how this poor plant is suffering. I need to know
1) Should I use soapy water to wash off sap OR ...

2) Use clear tepid water to wash off sap OR ...

3) Not wash it off (?)

BIG QUESTION, can I use either bitter yuck or bitter apple (or some other plant benign product) on the leaves to keep the cats away. There's nowhere

in my house to put this plant where it would be safe from kitty bites. The little dots aren't mites, but just sap that has gelled into balls. ugh.

I checked on line and found New Mexico U. Agricultural, Consumer College. An identical question to mine was asked. http://aces.nmsu.edu/areyousure.html

They recommend horiticultural oil or insecticidial soap as described below. Anyone know where to buy either or both of these?

"You can treat with chemical insecticides (organic/low toxicity or commercial insecticides). Try using the least toxic means of treatment at first, especially since you will be treating the plant indoors during the winter.

"You can use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap applied to the under surface of leaves and stems where the scale insects (brown bumps) are located. Apply the oil with a cotton ball or cotton swab. With gentle rubbing, the scale insect may be removed along with any eggs or scale offspring under or nearby the larger parent scale.

"Some people use rubbing alcohol, but this only allow physical removal. Horticultural oil and insecticidal soap have insecticidal properties and will kill some of the insects that remain. Horticultural oil and insecticidal soap are labeled for control of insects and provide directions on their label for treating houseplant insects."

I'm going to look online for the horticultural oil and insecticidal soap. Wish me luck.

You can typically get it at the big box stores or on Amazon. I use the Safer brand.

Thanks Jennifer ... Was thinking of organic .. Neem Oil Certified Organic Insecticide / Fungicide / Miticide - OMRI approved ... on epesthero.com.

That'll do the trick ;)

Jennifer ... I think your idea is better ... Did you use Safer Brand 5118 Insect Killing Soap? I'm going to give it a try. I wonder if it's safe for cats, impossible to isolate plant without depriving it of sunlight. My cats have nipped leaves in the past with no ill effect, but it's the treated leaf I'm concerned about. I know AFTER the treatment I can use products they won't like, but a bit concerned about what happens to them if they bite a leaf that has been treated. ???

I think it's pretty safe after it dries. My cat prefers things before they start smelling different so maybe your cat will ignore it. Here's wishing anyway!

FYI according to the aspca Scheffleras are toxic to cats.

I know Scheffleras are supposed to be toxic to cats. Mine don't eat it, no interest, but there are some bite marks. No negative reactions ever. Dunno? I'm getting bitter apple or bitter yuck to use after I treat this Schefflera. Waiting for Insecticidal Soap from Safer to arrive. For now, put a tiny bit of Dawn dish liquid in a lot of water, dabbed on and under the leaves. What an ugly mess. Thanks so much everyone.

Thanks Jennifer for the reassurance and the recommendation. So much awful stuff out there.

Denise,

See the pic w/ your thumb? See the beige bump just above your thumb & then 1/2 way up the leaf's vein? I believe those are insects called scale.

While I've never had them, I've seen enough pix here to recognize them. Look closely folks, I can see them easily. See if it scratches off w/ your fingernail.

Sorry, but that's what I think I see.

I agree with you ... scale bugs. I scrape off all the brown dots or lines when I use a cotton ball dipped in a very diluted Dawn and water mix. Don't worry I can handle the news ; ) Should get the Safer Insecticide Soap tomorrow.

The good part is a) you can feel sticky areas and know the critters are there and b) you can, as you said, SEE brown dots and scrape them off. I've heard if the infestation is too bad, a "soil soak" is required. What is a soil soak? Is it making a liquid with the Insecticide Soap and soaking the soil of the plant with it? I refuse to let this plant succumb to these invaders!!!!!

Oh Denise, I meant to say in my last posting....

I know all cats are different, but here is what works for me. I grow my kitty some "cat grass" that I found at a pet store and I let her "floss her teeth" on some plants. For instance, the little palms that you find at grocery stores, maybe a majesty or parlor palm--I can't remember--but it is perfectly safe and she seems to leave the bad ones alone.

Jennifer ... My cats are fairly indifferent to kitty grass. I've tried growing it and will again, but the male wants no part of it and his sister will do the occasional nibble.

GREAT IDEA to have some plants they can chew on. Will check online. You say the majesty or parlor palm, thanks very much. My poor guys, having an owner who hasn't bothered to get a plant they can "floss" on ... love that. Thank you again Jennifer.

BTW, a few days without sunlight won't affect your benjamina at all. Sometimes it's cloudy, after all, and they don't seem to mind that.

When my old benjamina was moved to the floor my cats took a few nibbles, and after that they never did more than pretend they could hide behind it. I'm sure the sap makes the whole plant taste pretty nasty.

I wish I could answer your soil soak question, but I'm sure someone knowledgeable will have some advice.

I hope it works for you, Denise!

It' s the Parlor palm.

Spider plants are also attractive to cats and safe as well!

My cat loves to chew kitty grass--and spits it up almost immediately afterwards, so she doesn't get any.

Not only do I see a scale insect infestation, but there might be spider mites, too.

litterbuggy -- Don't know what a Benjamina plant is, mine is Schefflera .. same?

Also my Cookie does eat Kitty Grass when I plant it at home, no spit up. ??

rhizo -- Oh GREAT ... thanks.

Jennifer -- OK will add Spider Plants to the list ... Parlor Palm too. Thanks for ALL your help. So glad I'll be getting the Safer Insecticide Soap in a day. So far Dawn in water has helped. Exhausting, but worth it.

Denise, I'll be the first to admit that my cat has never been entirely normal, but that's probably why we suit each other.

Sorry about the plant confusion; for the longest time my only plants were ficus benjaminas and scheffleras, and I guess all I remembered was that you had one of mine.... Either way, neither this feline or the one that passed away several years ago wanted more than one taste of my scheffleras, either.

Jennifer -- I got the Safer Soapy Insecticide, followed their dx and sprayed over and under leaves til they dripped. BUT do you do this more than just "every 5-7 days when insects are present." Is it too much to spray again tomorrow? Glad I have this as the Dawn liquid detergent only slowed these critters down. Thank you so much again!!!!

I have done it every few few days when an infestestation was bad, but you can also hit the pests with a good spray of water in between.

Thanks so much Jennifer ... I'll do the water spray today and then a redo of the Soapy Insecticide on Monday. Damn, those scaley things are resilient. Luckily I can SEE them, aaargh. Hope you're good.

litterbuggy ... gee thought I answered you. Unhappily my lovely felines are not discouraged by any taste when they bite the Schefflera, soooooooo when the spraying is at a standstill, I'm getting bitter apple or bitter yuck to put on the leaves and that should keep these little devils away.

Stubborn felines! At least it hasn't harmed them so far, and hopefully they'll stay away once they taste or smell icky.