Eliminating Slaters from Australian Tree Ferns

If you’ve noticed small, creepy-crawly bugs on your beloved Australian tree fern, chances are they are slaters. These pesky critters can quickly infest and damage tree ferns. Getting rid of them takes some persistence, but it can be done through natural, safe methods.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn all about slaters, how to identify an infestation, and effective control techniques to eliminate them from your tree fern for good. Let’s banish those bugs and get your plant back to health!

What are Slaters?

Slaters are a type of isopod, which is an order of crustaceans related to shrimp and crabs. They are also known as woodlice, pillbugs, or roly-polies. There are over 5,000 species worldwide.

In Australia, the common slater species include:

• Common rough woodlouse
• Common shiny woodlouse
• Buddelundia nitidissima
• Buddelundia hirta

Slaters are oval-shaped, growing up to 1.5 cm long They range in color from grey to brown or reddish-orange Slaters have segmented, rigid bodies made up of three sections and seven pairs of legs.

As detrivores, slaters feed on decaying plant material. They use their chewing mouthparts to consume decomposing wood, leaves, and fungi.

While slaters play an important role in breaking down organic matter, they can become problematic pests in gardens when populations explode.

Signs of a Slater Infestation

If slaters have invaded your Australian tree fern, you may notice:

• Slaters crawling on the trunk, fronds, and soil. They are active at night.

• Notches eaten out of fronds, browning and dieback on the edges

• Frass (bug droppings) accumulating on fronds and soil. Appears as small black dots.

• Fine webbing, dust, or eggs on the undersides of older fronds.

• Foul, decaying odor from slater activity in moist frond bases.

• Soil crawling with slaters when pot is tipped or disturbed.

Act quickly once you spot slaters, as they can multiply rapidly. Severe infestations can seriously weaken or even kill tree ferns.

Why Tree Ferns are Susceptible

Several features make Australian tree ferns vulnerable to slater infestations:

• Older fronds naturally die off. Slaters are attracted to the decaying plant matter.

• Densely packed emergent fronds provide moist hiding spots.

• Furrowed trunks offer crevices for slaters to shelter in.

• Fibrous, peaty potting mixes appeal to slaters.

Moist conditions found on most tree ferns also allow slater populations to boom unchecked. Be vigilant about monitoring for these pests.

Effective Organic Slater Controls

Eliminating slaters from tree ferns without chemicals calls for persistence and consistency. Integrate these organic methods to kick them out for good:

Remove Sheltering Debris

• Prune off dead or dying fronds where slaters hide.

• Clear fallen leaves, mulch, or other debris from the base.

• Remove nearby rotting wood, groundcover, or plant remains.

Eliminating cover denies slaters harborage and exposes them to predators.

Apply Diatomaceous Earth

• Dust diatomaceous earth (DE) on the trunk, fronds, and soil. The sharp particles cut insect bodies.

• Reapply DE after rain or watering. Use sparingly to avoid excess soil alkalinity.

• Wear a mask when applying to avoid inhaling the fine dust.

Set Out Bait Stations

• Place small containers of bait near the tree fern to attract and drown slaters.

• Effective baits are beer, yeast mixture, or soaked oatmeal.

• Empty and refresh bait stations daily. Discard trapped slaters.

Encourage Predators

• Entice beneficial predatory insects like centipedes, beetles, and spiders to your garden. They feast on slaters.

• Avoid pesticides that could kill helpful predators. Selective Bt-based products are safest.

• Provide habitat like flowering plants, brush piles, and undisturbed soil.

Adjust Moisture Levels

• Allow the tree fern’s soil to dry out partially between waterings to discourage slaters.

• Improve drainage and aerate soil if it remains soggy. Repotting may be needed.

• Move potted specimens under cover if excessive rain is triggering an infestation.

Use Desiccant Dusts

• Apply a thin layer of diatomaceous earth, wood ashes, or powdered sulphur around the plant’s base.

• These abrasive dusts abrade slater bodies, causing dehydration. Reapply after rain.

• Avoid getting dust on the fronds. Focus application around the trunk and soil.

Set Physical Barriers

• Place collars of copper tape, petroleum jelly, or abrasive glues around the inside of pots. Slaters avoid crossing these barriers.

• Small potted ferns can be placed atop stands surrounded by water moats.

• Larger in-ground specimens can be encircled with metal sheeting sunk several inches into soil.

When to Use Insecticides

In severe infestations, the use of organic insecticidal soap or horticultural oil may be warranted as a last resort:

• Test spray on a small area first and wait 48 hours to check for phytotoxicity before treating the entire plant.

• Coat fronds, trunk, and exposed soil thoroughly with spray. Repeat every 5-7 days for 2-3 weeks.

• Avoid using excess insecticide that could drip into the soil and impact beneficial organisms long-term.

• Always follow label directions carefully. Do not apply oils during hot weather or when plants are stressed.

Control Tips for Potted Plants

Potted tree ferns are especially prone to slater infestations. Here are some extra tips:

• Dump out pots and inspect soil and roots thoroughly every 2-3 months. Remove all slaters detected.

• Consider repotting annually in fresh sterile mix to eliminate any lingering pest eggs or larvae.

• Place small pots on wire racks or feet to minimize soil contact with potential slater habitat outdoors.

• Move pots to a sunny area where soil will dry out faster. Rotate pots periodically to dry all sides.

• Cover drainage holes with fine mesh to block slater entry, taking care water can still drain freely.

Closely monitoring potted plants is key to early slater detection and control.

Prevention Between Infestations

Once you’ve eliminated slaters, be vigilant about prevention:

• Inspect tree ferns at least weekly for signs of reinfestation like frass or chew marks. Catch issues early.

• Remove fallen fronds, dead leaves, mulch, and other debris regularly before slaters are attracted.

• Allow the entire potting mix to dry out periodically. Slaters thrive in constantly wet conditions.

• Space plants appropriately to allow air circulation and prevent moist microclimates.

• Treat surrounding plants and habitat with organic methods to create an overall pest-resistant environment.

With diligence and the right cultural practices, tree ferns and slaters can coexist peacefully. Don’t be afraid to take action at the first sign of infestation. Consistent monitoring and maintenance will help sustain a slater-free landscape.

When to Seek Professional Help

In some cases, severe slater infestations may require professional treatment:

• If the infestation has persisted for many months despite your efforts.

• If the slaters are causing extensive dieback or decline that threatens the plant’s survival.

• If there are large colonies of slaters inside the tree fern’s trunk that are inaccessible.

• If there are also signs of secondary infections like crown rot taking hold.

• If the tree fern is rare or of high sentimental value. The risks of improper treatment are too high.

Seeking expert advice can often turn around a severely infested plant. Arborists or horticulturists have specialized tools and insecticides to fully eliminate entrenched slater populations.

Maintaining Healthy Tree Ferns

The best defense is promoting vigorous growth and ideal conditions:

Prune Regularly

• Remove yellowed, dying fronds where pests congregate. Make clean cuts at the base.

• Avoid over-pruning. Only remove fronds as needed to shape and thin the canopy.

Water Well

• Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Allow the top few inches to dry between waterings.

• Flush pots thoroughly to prevent salt buildup. Let excess water drain fully.