Palm Sticky Sap: Scale Insects, Alcohol Spray, Systemic Option

Your 6-foot indoor palm has sticky sap (honeydew) on leaves/floor, flying bugs, and unknown pests. Diagnosis: scale insects (on leaf backs) + fungus gnats or whitefly.

Immediate: Alcohol Spray

1. 70% rubbing alcohol in spray bottle.
2. Spray all leaf surfaces (top/bottom) and soil.
3. Repeat weekly × 4 weeks (kills hatchlings).

If Giving Up on This Palm

Don't buy another problematic palm. Easy alternatives with palm look:

• Yucca (desert, tough)
• Dracaena marginata (easy, tree-like)

Reliable Palms (If You Must)

1. Kentia (Howea forsteriana)
2. Bamboo palms (Chamaedorea)
3. Lady palms (Rhapis)

See this guide for palms to avoid.

Systemic for Outdoor Treatment

If moving palm outdoors for 2+ months: Bayer Advanced Tree & Shrub Protect & Feed soil drench. One treatment, 6–12 month protection. Keep outdoors 2+ weeks after application.