The leaves on the lilac are curled and puckered. Right around the corner of the house the viburnum suffers from the same problem with a clear, sweet, sticky substance or "honeydew" that falls on the sidewalk beneath it.
Last year the quince, which is close by, also showed signs of these pests. Washing the leaves with soapy water was tedious but it helped a little .
The other day I was out walking and a ladybug hopped on to my sleeve so I carried it to the lilac bush. I remembered then that these are natural predators so we ordered some.
After a thin shower overnight I brought the bugs out to the infected bushes and sprinkled them around at dawn.
Now it is raining, thankfully, on the newly planted gardens so I hope the new arrivals have recovered from the dehydration of their journey here and will spread their beneficial and natural control.
