How do you get rid of scale on houseplants?

Remove existing scale on houseplants by rubbing gently with a facial-quality sponge or cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. The alcohol alone should kill the scale, but the dead insects will remain on your plants and make it difficult for you to scout for new infestations.

Does neem oil work on scale?

Neem oil is a godsend. Not only does the oil coat plants, but it naturally contains azdirachtin, which will slowly poison most soft scales and mealybugs. You can use it on armored scales as well, but it will work like a horticultural oil in that usage.

How do you control scale insects?

To get rid of scale insects prune and dispose of infested branches, twigs and leaves. When scale numbers are low they may be rubbed or picked off of plants by hand. Dabbing individual pests with an alcohol-soaked cotton swab or neem-based leaf shine will also work when infestations are light.

What insecticide kills scale?

Acephate, imidacloprid and dinotefuran are three commonly used systemic insecticides that are effective against scale. Treatment involves pouring the mixed insecticide at the base of the plant.

Which is more damaging soft scales or armored scales?

Armored scale insects are typically more damaging to their hosts than soft scales. Their feeding on branch tissues kills individual cells. Cell death disrupts the transportation of materials through the tree limb and can cause the branch to die. In heavy infestations armored scales feeding on branch tissues can cause the death of entire plants.

How does a scale crawler spread its infestation?

Scale infestations spread when crawlers walk or are blown by the wind to nearby plants or plant parts. After an armored scale crawler begins to feed, it becomes very flat and covered with a clear wax shell. As it continues to grow, it remains beneath its waxy armor. This armor is difficult to penetrate with insecticides.

What to do about armored scales on trees?

Conserve natural enemies and kill armored scales on infested trees by using a biorational material like horticultural oil. This material works by smothering scales. Unlike other conventional pesticides, this material can kill armored scales after they have settled while the scale body is still somewhat clear.

When is the best time to kill scale crawlers?

Scale crawlers are killed by these pesticides when they are covered during foliar application, or as they walk along treated surfaces. To achieve maximum kill, pesticides in this group should be sprayed at the begining of the crawler period. Several obstacles make conventional materials undesirable for managing scales.