Garden Pests and Diseases: What's killing my hibiscus , 2 by Wolfie1038

Wolfie1038 wrote:
I just had this problem this past week also. After examining them closely, I noticed little green worms. They are sawfly larva that was deposited in the plant flesh in spring. They LOVE to eat!

I mixed 1 tablespoon of Dawn dish liquid (do NOT use anti-bacterial) with 1 gallon of water, put it in my sprayer and sprayed the top and bottom of all the leaves until it was dripping off. It apparently suffocates the little devils!

You also might give Neem Oil a try. It will stop their eating, breeding, drinking, laying eggs, etc. It doesn't kill on contact, but it messes with the their system...and they forget to eat! They will stop eating as soon as you spray them, but they won't die right away. Eventually in a day or two they wind up starving to death.