Over the past 3 years my hibiscus and rose of sharon have been infested with flying bugs that breed on the plants. These insects have tough shells. I have tried soap/detergent solution but that does not work.How can I get rid of them without using stuff toxic to humans?
Thank you for contacting the Toronto Master Gardeners.
Our mild winters and wet summers have resulted in quite an explosion of the bug population in the last few years, ideal conditions for breeding.
It is difficult to know what kind of bug or beetle you may have on your hibiscus and rose of sharon without actually seeing it. Beetles are not killed by insecticidal soaps. Can you pick or know the bugs off your plants before they cause too much damage.
I would recommend that you check out the following web sites to identify your bug and determine how best to remove them from your plants without using pesticides which are banned in Ontario.
https://garden.org/learn/library/pests/