Please tell me what I'm doing wrong. While white specks on the ficus tree may be an insect, it is more likely dried milky sap that you are seeing. In any case, you can spray the ficus with an insecticidal soap. Spray all parts of the plant. This may need to be done again, if there truly is an insect problem and they reappear after a few weeks.
Evergreens are very difficult to grow indoors in most areas of the country.
In the house, red spider mites multiply very fast and evergreens are prone to their attacks. ABC News Internet Ventures. Internet Safety Information applicable to the site.