something is infesting our small shrubs!

loveindiana

We have four small treelike shrubs in our front yard and they've recently been attacked by some little white...something. It doesn't really look like little bugs but I don't know what it is...basically the branches and leaves are all speckled white. Any ideas what it is and how to get rid of it?

nitaw

Sounds like aphids. Take your water hose and blast the shrubs with water. That should knock them off. I have to do this to my crepe myrtle tree every summer. It's annoying, but it knocks them off for a little while; you just spray them again periodically.

kastle

can you post a picture?

If you're sure it's not bugs it could be a fungus (like powdery mildew.  gives a white, blotchy appearance to leaves)

living_insanity

You could get some 3 in 1 Garden spray.  It'll cover bugs and other disease.  Just check the hardware store.  They'll have lots of options.  I forget what brand we use but it not only prevents bugs and disease but I think it has fertilizer in it too!

~NB~

Post a picture. It sounds like scale to me.

Don't spray anything until you know what you're trying to kill.

muddilicious

You might want to spray the bush very thoroughly with some diluted Neem Oil (follow directions on package).  You should be vigilant in spraying weekly to get it under control (ideally at dusk).  It should help if it is aphids or if it is a fungus. HTH

nocturnalintimacy

could it be white fly?