I have a purple hibiscus bush that had a huge growth spurt this summer. It is planted in the ground. The last few weeks the scale have progressively taken it over and of course an army of ants also came, protecting the scale from its natural predators. I tried Neem oil for the last two weeks, applying it 2-3 a week. It seemed to control it a little but the ants got worse and so did the scale eventually. So I took your advice Toni and tried the FE. Bam!! Gone in 2 applications, at least so far, crossing my fingers. The first time I applied it, the scale were crawling out from under the mulch, running for their lives! They really do not like this stuff. And to make the ants go away, I sprinkled cinnamon at the base of the plant and also on the stems that had been hit worst by the scale. After two days, I only see a few ants here and there. Just wanted to share in case your plant is outdoors and also vouch for the excellent advice about the fish emulsion. The stuff really works!

Hi Jane, That's too bad about your special plant. Here's hoping it recovers. A few years ago, I bought Bonide insecticidal soap to use in the house. Active ingredient was potassium salts of fatty acids. "Ideal for organic gardeners." Milder than what you're talking about. For 3 years now, my plants have been sprayed with Safer's 3-in-1 product - fungicide, insecticide, and miticide, suitable for organic growing. Works for me. Just yesterday, I ordered the 32-oz. concentrate. I use it in the bathroom with the critters shut out. My super-duper awesome ammo, though is 1600 X-Clude. Main ingredient is microencapsulated natural pyrethrum, from chrysanthemums. This year will be the 4th that I've used it. The label says you can use it inside, but a commercial grower who uses it advised against that. The aroma is strong, and I wouldn't use it in the house, even if there weren't critters around. Well, if I could aim fans out the window, close the door, and shove towels underneath. In late summer/early fall, about when you'd be bringing plants inside that have been outside all summer, you spray plants five days apart, 2 sprayings total. Online prices vary wildly, if you decide to check it out. If you go with it, let me know, cuz there are some specific instructions for it to be the most effective. http://www.ghorganics.com/XClude1600.html Here is a link that might be useful: Safer 3-in-1 plant spray

Lee...it looks like nobody ever replied to this post. I see it is exactly 6 years old so I had to reply to see if you even remember posting it! As for the snow scale, I just found a bunch on some of my hibiscus and read that insecticides aren't very useful but that horticultural oil is best. Here is a link that pertains to hibiscus treatment but it may also apply to ferns: http://hiddenvalleyhibiscus.com/care/scale.htm What did you end up doing about the scale back in June 2005?

I found something that you folks might want to try. Now it's something simple. Something even the best minds have never tried. So if it doesn't grow around salt water maybe by giving them high loads of salt or salt water it may kill them off. Or if they hate cold maybe something as simple as dry ice over their roots might work. Try and see what works for you and sell that on ebay IV. PHYSICAL TOLERANCES Temperature: Cold intolerance appears to be the key factor limiting expansion of the U.S. introduced range of Dioscorea bulbifera beyond the tropical/subtropical to warm-temperate areas it now occurs in. Salinity: Air potato is not salt tolerant and is an unsuccessful invader of marine and estuarine shorelines