By: Nikki Phipps
Identifying Scale Plant Insect
Scale is a problem with many houseplants. Scale insects suck sap from plants, robbing them of essential nutrients. Scale insects thrive in warm, dry environments. The scale bug is small, oval and flat, with a protective tan to brown shell-like covering (scale). Scale generally targets the undersides of leaves and around leaf joints.
The scale plant insect consists of three types:
- armored scale,
- soft scale, and
- mealy bug.
The armored and soft scale bug is the most destructive. Armored scales are more difficult to control once mature. Soft scale bugs excrete large amounts of honeydew, which enables the growth of sooty mold, a black-colored fungus that interferes with photosynthesis. Mealy bugs are easier to control. Scales cannot fly; therefore, dispersal depends on the movement of crawlers. Crawlers may be detected by placing double-sticky tape on plant branches.
Scale Insect Control
Scale-damaged plants look withered and sickly. Leaves turn yellow and may drop from the plant. They may also have sticky sap or a black fungus on the leaves and stems. Heavily infested plants produce little new growth. If scale insects are not controlled, death of infested plants is possible. Scale insects are invasive and will infest other plants so move infested plants away from healthy ones.
Several well-known remedies can be used to eliminate scales from a houseplant. However, there is no easy cure for a scale bug infestation. One possibility is to pick off or gently scrub them loose from the leaves and stems. Dabbing each scale with an alcohol-soaked cotton swab is another possibility for lightly infested plants. There are also numerous chemical products available for the control of scale bugs. Insecticide sprays for houseplants are available at garden centers. Spray applications should be timed to coincide with the crawler stage, which is most susceptible to insecticides. Insecticides must be applied thoroughly each week for a month or more for the greatest results.
For heavy infestations, it is sometimes best to throw away infested plants.
Homemade Control of Plant Scale
Many people prefer to use homemade control of plant scale. Insecticidal soap is a safe and effective alternative to conventional insecticides. You can dishwashing liquid (1 1/2 teaspoons per one quart of water) in place of commercial insecticide soaps. Homemade control of plant scale can also be achieved with oil spray. Mix two tablespoons of cooking oil and two tablespoons of baby shampoo in one gallon of water. This can also be mixed with one cup of alcohol to help penetrate the insect’s shell.
If a fungus is also present, add two tablespoons of baking soda. Test the spray on a small area of the plant, beforehand and wait 2-3 days, to check for damage. Do not spray plants in the sun or on hairy or waxy-leaved plants. Shake well before and during application. Spray every 5-7 days as needed, covering both sides of the foliage. Wash the leaves individually with the soap/oil mixture and rinse well.
