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Sooty Mold and Aphids on Crepe Myrtle: Insecticide Options

Black powder (sooty mold) wiping off leaves, plus aphids on leaf undersides and yellowing/defoliation, indicate a heavy aphid infestation. The mold grows on aphid honeydew; controlling aphids eliminates the mold.

Insecticide Choices

Contact: Orthene (acephate), insecticidal soap, or neem oil for immediate knockdown.
Systemic: Imidacloprid (Bayer Tree & Shrub) soil drench for season-long control.
Organic: Atomic Grow foliar spray deters aphids and cleanses mold.

Visit your garden center for products labeled for crepe myrtle aphids in your state.

Plant Diseases: Crape Myrtle Powdery Mildew: Fungicides and Pruning Advice; Diagnosing a Single Ailing Crepe Myrtle Among Healthy Ones; Camellia Sooty Mold: Insect Infestation Indicator; Camellia 'Jury's Yellow' Sooty Mold: Same Insect Cause; Black Knot Disease on Plum: Pruning and Fungicide Protocol; Replacing Willows with Crepe Myrtles: Choose Aphid-Resistant Varieties; Spider Mites on Crape Myrtle: Sticky Residue, Curling Leaves, and Webbing; Camellia Sooty Mold in Belgium: Same Cause, Same Cure; Black Spot on Roses: Management, Not Cure; Black Knot on Mulberry: Prune and Destroy

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