Do you think my plant has bugs?

9 years ago

I think I may have a slight Snow Scale infestation on my Areca Palm...

...I'm just kidding, this was a refurbishment job I undertook this week. The local fire service office had bought a dozen plants about three years ago and looked after them themselves. Most were fine but four of the Arecas looked like this.

By the time we had got them back to base and binned them the van and both of us were covered in it. Lovely!

On a lower level I've found Snow Scale to be treatable with Thiaclroprid-based chemicals. But not this much.

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Comments (7)

plantomaniac08
9 years ago
Snow scale? I've never heard of that. Is that another name for mealybug (looks like a severe infestation of mealybug to me)?

Planto
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christine1950
9 years ago
I agree with what Planto posted.
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Nicko, not only do you have red mites, but sounds like a case of scale, too..That's what the raised bumps are..To be sure, scratch and see if they come off. If they can be removed, your tree has scale. The best method I've found to rid scale is by spraying foliage w/Fish Emulsion..Some people like Neem Oil. I've never tried the Neem, so can't express an opinion. If you have scale, and decide to use FE, use 1 capful of FE to a 16oz mister of water..shake..then spray all parts of leaves/under and over, stems, in-between branches. You have to work fast with scale cause they'll take over. Hopefully, Neem or FE will help rid the mites, too. Be sure to isolate citrus from other plants. Both insects are highly contageous. Is there any way plant can be taken outside? If so, I'd hose it down..if not, then place in shower or sink and spray/hose. Was it a local nursery you ordered from? If you feel at liberty to mention the company name, please do so. Others should be warned against nurseries who ship plants w/bugs..I'd also notify the company, see if they'll either exchange or refund your money..Either way, I'd leave feedback on GardenWatchdog.com Good luck, Toni
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paul_
9 years ago

@ Planto & Christine: Nope. Snow scale and mealies are two different, albeit closely related, pests. Snow scale is so named because the males are white/whitish.

@ Jon: I'd have to agree with Planto & Christine -- looks like a major mealybug infestation, not snow scale. If the white stuff is cottony, somewhat tacky then it is definitely mealybugs. In some respects, mealies are much easier to eradicate than scale. However, mealies can take up shop in the plant's root zone (referred to as soil mealies).

The crawlers (larvae/nymphs) can easily hitch a ride on clothing or skin and be transferred to other plants so take care.

Soapy water or straight rubbing alcohol can take care of the adults and crawlers that are exposed. But to kill off any hiding in crevices or in the soil, you will probably need to use a systemic.
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christine1950
9 years ago
Thank you Paul, I learned something new today. Jon, good luck getting rid of the nasty suckers...
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stewartsjon
Original Author
9 years ago
Trust me, it's Snow Scale - aka Pinnaspis strachani

I know the difference and I agree that they are hard to tell apart. There was a big flare up of this on European houseplants a couple of years ago which seems to have died down now.

I tried to post a link to a Google result - if you Google it you'll see the resemblance.
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plantomaniac08
9 years ago
Paul and Jon,
Okay, I'm with Christine on this one. I've learned something new today. Either way, it looks pretty severe and I hope you will be able to get rid of them entirely.

Planto
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stewartsjon
Original Author
9 years ago
Oh they went in the bin! No point in trying to save them.

I assure you it was snow scale - they might look similar in a photo but they are quite easy to tell apart in the flesh.

Mealy Bug are, I believe, technically part of the scale family in any case.

Snow Scale is a funny one; it only affects certain plants, particularly Marginatas, Aspidistras and Arecas. But it can really hit them.

On the plus side it seems to be quite lazy, i.e. you can have two plants in close proximity and one will be infected , the other healthy.

But it can be eradicated on a plant with persistence, I've done it.
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Do you think my plant has bugs?

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