There are a few steps involved in taking control of psyllids and it is not necessarily a quick fix. However, it is worth the effort, especially if time and money have been invested in establishing a Lilly pilly hedge.

• Inspect the plant regularly to find evidence of psyllids before the outbreak gets out of control. There may be eggs under the leaves, adult insects moving around, or the larvae stage feeding on the leaves.
• Look for ants crawling on the plant. Psyllids secrete honeydew which attracts the ants, so they can be a sign that the psyllids are living in the Lilly pilly.
• Make sure that the plant is watered regularly and use a quality controlled release fertiliser that feeds the soil and the plant. Healthy plants can withstand insect attack and are resistant to pest damage.
• Prune off the affected foliage and dispose of it in the general waste, not in the compost or the green waste.
• If pruning will leave unsightly gaps in the plant and you want to kill the insect instead, you will need a systemic treatment to eradicate it. These insecticides are absorbed into the foliage and kill the insect when it eats the plant. Spray the plant thoroughly, including the underside of the leaf.
• Do repeat applications spaced a couple of weeks apart to break the breeding cycle of the insect. This means you will kill the adult moving around and the larvae as they hatch or start feeding on the leaves.

The other option is to replace badly affected Lilly pillies (Syzygium) with varieties that are resistant to psyllids. “Resilience” is a form of Syzygium known for its brilliant red new growth. During summer it has fluffy white flowers, followed by small edible berries. It is highly resistant to many pests, including psyllids. It is ideal for hedging, screening and topiary.

Remember to be vigilant in monitoring your Lilly pillies. The psyllids will travel so an outbreak in a neighbouring garden could result in an attack on your plants.

Check out our range of solutions for Psyllid control. Shop Pest Solutions

This is intended as general information only. Please ask one of our horticulturists for more specific advice for your situation.