Although magnoliasare usually free of any major insect or disease issues, they are often attacked by an insect called magnolia scale. Magnolia scale appears as rather large, white, waxy or brown bumps on the twigs and leaves of magnolia trees. The dark color is a black sooty mold fungus that grows on the honeydew. Wasps love honeydew and are also attracted to the leaves, so if your magnoliaisattractingwasps, that confirms the scale diagnosis. When you see magnolia leaves turning black, the culprit is usually a small insect pest called magnolia scale. If your magnoliaisattractingwasps, that's another sign that your plants are infested by these sap-sucking scale insects. MagnoliaIsAttractingWasps – Magnolia Leaves Turning Black With Bugs. Black leaves on magnolia trees are never a good sign. This issue doesn’t necessarily signal disaster either. This honeydew attracts sugar-loving insects like ants and wasps and fosters the growth of unsightly black sooty mold, which can hinder photosynthesis by making leaves appear dirty. If you notice wasps around your magnolia tree, it could indicate a scale infestation. They have a natural attraction to flowers that are yellow, white, blue, and purple. If you want to keep wasps away from your garden, primarily make use of red flowers on plants that have very little pollen. Fruit trees and fruit-bearing plants will attractwasps, too. Wasps may even attack, typically as a response to a particular chemical given off by other members of their hive. That’s why you should never swat or squash a wasp – when you do, the pheromone that’s released will only attract and invite more wasps that are nearby to come. Fennel is another plant that is known to attractwasps. This hardy perennial has bright yellow flowers that produce nectar throughout the summer. The plant also attracts aphids, a common prey for wasps. By providing both a food source and prey, fennel is a major attraction for wasps. Problems With Magnolia Trees. The seeds from the large fragrant flowers of the magnoliaattract migrating birds, as well as songbirds, to this ornamental tree. Waspsareattracted to a variety of plants, including sweet fennel, Queen Anne's lace, yarrow, and spearmint. If you have Magnolia trees that appear to be dripping sap, that gets all over and attractswasps, this is the solution. This is a plant food and insecticide in one. Yes, magnolia trees can attractwasps because magnolia scale, which feeds on plant sap, secretes a sticky substance called honeydew. This attracts sugar-loving insects like ants and wasps. Skip pesticides and try natural wasp repellents. For example, wasps do not like certain scents, such as strongly scented herbs and plants, such as peppermint, clove, and citrus. Things That AttractWasps. Sugars. Wasps are drawn to sugary foods like fruits, sweets, flower nectar, and sodas. Keep beverages and sweets covered, and be wary of drinking from soda cans outdoors since wasps can crawl inside.
