What causes a sticky residue on pepper plants

Question

Sticky residue on pepper plants. What causes this?

Answer 1

Your plants have a pest of some kind, like aphids, scale or any number of sap-sucking insects. These pests secrete a sticky residue (honeydew) and may even attract ants. We have found Neem oil to be an effective treatment for all of these insect pests and it's safe for garden use. Here is more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/problems/pests/neem-oil-uses.htm