Spittlebugs are small winged insects about a quarter of an inch in size. They attack trees and plants by feeding on sap. A noticeable sign that spittlebugs have infested a tree or plant is the distinctive juvenile spittlebug. Juvenile green nymphs excrete a white foamy mass around them when they are feeding on needles and leaves.
When only a few spittlebugs are on a tree or plant, they do very little harm. To control small numbers of spittlebugs, simply wash them off the tree with good spray from a garden hose. If a large number of spittlebugs appear on a tree, spray with Take Down Garden Spray, which will help control both adults and juveniles. Repeat the spray, as needed, every seven to fourteen days.