Bananas, problems
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Rats, birds, other animals enjoy eating the fruit, especially if tree-ripened. Consider harvesting the fruit when green to keep the pests from ripened fruit.
Aphids
Aphids can be a pest of banana. Aphids can be washed off with a strong spray of water, insecticidal soaps, or horticultural oils.
Read more about control of aphids.
Ants
Ants farm aphids for the honeydew produced as the aphids feed. It is important to keep ants out of the trees, by using barriers or bait.
Read more about management of ants.
Sooty mold
Sooty mold is a fungus that grows on the honeydew produced by insects such as aphids and scales. Although the plant can tolerate some mold, it can cover the leaves of the plant and interfere with photosynthesis. Sooty mold can be controlled by removing the insects that produce the honeydew, and washing the affected areas with a strong spray of water.
Read more about management of sooty mold.