Spider mites or something else

[Chris]

I've got our Hibiscus in our greenhouse for the winter. I've noticed that it's got a lot of buds on it however when I went and examined them and some of the leaves closely this morning I noticed what are shown in the attached photos. I've got some Bayer+ spray that I'm getting ready to spray it with today but I'm wondering just what these are and could they possibly be affecting any of my other plants in the greenhouse.

[Merkity]

looks a whole lot like aphid and maybe white fly.   those will be all over very very fast- got ants in the plants?

[Chris]

Not that I can see. I'm getting ready to see if I can find some Bayer Tree and Shrub. I've got some Bayer 3 N 1 don't know if that will do the trick or not.

[Merkity]

i gave mine the bayer 3 in 1 systemic treatment in the spring - it has done wonders for the aphid and white fly on my plants this year.   We have tons of ants around here and they were farming the aphid in my plants.   can't seem to get rid of them.    but the systemic with some spray to kill off the live bugs - really cut down on the breakouts.   I can tell its starting to wear off and i will have to dose again soon.   the instructions said up to a year but that you may have to apply more than that...looks like i got 6-8 months from the last application. 

[Chris]

I did our in the spring also when it was outside on the patio. Didn't think it would get anything being in the greenhouse. I gave it a good dosing of the 3N1 this afternoon. Will check in a day or so to see if there are any results.

[Charlie]

Chris, you have already gotten good advice and done the right thing. Both your Bayer products contain imidacloprid which is the systemic that kills aphids and whiteflies. The main difference is that the 3n1 is a spray so acts quicker but is less long lasting. The Tree and Shrub takes a couple of weeks to work in winter but after that it is good for several weeks or even months.

Charlie

[Chris]

Thanks Charlie, I'll find some Tree and Shrub then to add to this. I need to spray again in a few days anyway to make sure I've killed them all.

Chris

[roadrunner]

I usually get about 6 months of protection using the Bayer Tree and Shrub on my container collection.  I can certainly tell when it's time to apply again, the buds suddenly start getting covered with aphids.

dave