Extreme scale insect infestation: what would kill these buggers?!
linnea56 (zone 5b Chicago)
last year
I just noticed my 15 year old tropical hibiscus tree is loaded. It spends summer out on the deck, and winter indoors.
When I see scale on other plants, I wipe them off with a wet paper towel, then spray weekly with Neem oil.
But this poor plant is loaded. Hibiscus seem to get them every year.
Is there an alternative? It would take hours to wipe these things off of every stem.
Long ago I vaguely remember something about spraying with fish emulsion mixed with something.
Thanks for your help.
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (10)
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
last yearlinnea56 (zone 5b Chicago) thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5Related Discussions
Dealing with Scale/insects on house plants
Comments (4)You need to be careful about applying different products in a short period of time. Combinations can sometimes cause problems for the plant. Scale infestations are difficult to get under control. It takes TIME. Let the products do their work. I wouldn't be surprised if a bunch of the insects are already dead, with their empty shells driving you crazy. Use the neem (hopefully it's cold pressed neem so that it has the active ingredient in it) according to label directions. It will be helpful to a limited extent on the adults, but much more so on the crawlers. Those are the ones you want to get. What are these Bonide products you're talking about...active ingredients, please. We can let you know if they will be effective or not. I'll also suggest that you visit the Citrus Forum here in the Gardenweb. Not only can you read up on old thread with the exact same topic to gain some insight from others, but you can post your own topic....See MoreScale Insects and Wasps
Comments (2)ants and wasps ... as noted.. milk honeydew from the scale .... they are not the problem.. they are a response to a problem ... remove the problem.. and they will go onto other things ... scale is extremely hard to get rid of ... dormant oil is one solution... the other would be systemic chemicals ... like bayer tree and shrub ... it may take years of treatment... to cure the plant... i tend to agree with jean.. i would apply a saw at or above ground level.. and then dig up the roots and send it to the landfill or burn it ... the cost of replacement is NOT worth the exposure to the chemicals ... good luck ken...See MoreWhere Do Scale Insects come from?
Comments (2)Scale is ubiquitous in nature, and exist everywhere, no matter what plant you have when you bring it indoors there will be no predators to eat them, so don't worry about good/bad plants, bugs like them all! The life cycle is something like 2 weeks , so spraying at 2 week intervals, 3 times with neem oil should take care of most of them. The hard outside is to protect them from desiccation and predators. the alcohol dries them out and the neem (or any oil) smothers them. The neem oil has the added benefit of disrupting the reproduction cycle, so used 2-3x at 2 week intervals has great success. I started when I brought them in, and once after for most, and 3x for a few more susceptible ones....See MoreScale insects on Adenium Rose
Comments (4)I haven't posted on this forum for a long time but did have experience with scale on an Adenium that was gifted to me. The previous owner couldn't get rid of the scale so she gave it to me instead (I told her I'd try to save it). I did use rubbing alcohol with a cotton swab to remove any visible scales. But as Rick said, it is not a cure. More soon emerged and I went the insecticide route. I use Bayer's Advanced 3-in-1 Insect, Disease, and Mite Control. You can use the ready-spray version or buy the concentrate and dilute it yourself. I sprayed it 3 times, 10 days apart. Make sure to coat the top and bottom layer of the leaves plus the trunk. The scales had never come back and it has been 3 years. Good luck to you!...See Morelinnea56 (zone 5b Chicago)
last year
Fran Sacco
last yearfloral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
last yearhc mcdole
last yearken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
last yearlinnea56 (zone 5b Chicago) thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5linnea56 (zone 5b Chicago)
last year
Related Stories
GARDENING AND LANDSCAPINGBid Bad Garden Bugs Goodbye and Usher In the Good
Give ants their marching orders and send mosquitoes moseying, while creating a garden that draws pollinators and helpful eaters
Full Story
GARDENING GUIDES6 Plants That Beat Butterfly Bush for the Wildlife Draw
It's invasive, a nonnative and a poor insect magnet. Check out these better alternatives to butterfly bush in the garden
Full Story
FARM YOUR YARDHello, Honey: Beekeeping Anywhere for Fun, Food and Good Deeds
We need pollinators, and they increasingly need us too. Here, why and how to be a bee friend
Full Story
EARTH DAYHow to Design a Garden for Native Bees
Create a garden that not only looks beautiful but also nurtures native bees — and helps other wildlife in the process
Full Story
GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIESButterfly Gardening: Delight the Eyes With Living Sculptures
Surprise and thrill with a garden that attracts magical winged creatures, bringing color, movement and life
Full Story
GARDENING GUIDESMeet the Grass-Carrying Wasp, a Gentle Pollinator of Summer Flowers
These fascinating insects nest in wood cavities and hollow plant stems
Full Story
GARDENING GUIDESWhy Ornamental Plants Matter
Despite the name, ornamental plants aren’t frills. They’re vital to healthy gardens — and healthy humans
Full Story
MOST POPULARHow to Get Rid of Those Pesky Summer Fruit Flies
Learn what fruit flies are, how to prevent them and how to get rid of them in your home
Full Story
MOST POPULAR33 Magic Household Cleaning Tips
Houzzers from around the world share their tips for transforming housework into child’s play
Full Story
LIFEThe Top 5 Ways to Save Water at Home
Get on the fast track to preserving a valuable resource and saving money too with these smart, effective strategies
Full StorySponsored
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK