Hi everyone!
I’ve been struggling with a scale insect infestation on my indoor fiddle leaf fig and outdoor citrus trees. These tiny, sticky pests are sucking the life out of my plants, leaving yellow spots and a nasty sooty mold. I’ve tried wiping them off with alcohol and spraying insecticidal soap, but they keep coming back!
Background: Scale insects attach themselves to stems and leaves, feeding on sap and weakening plants. They’re notoriously hard to eliminate because of their protective waxy coating. I’m looking for effective, long-term solutions that won’t harm beneficial insects or my pets.
Neem oil is my go-to! Mix it with water and a drop of dish soap, then spray every 5 days. It smothers the scales and breaks their lifecycle. Just be consistent, it takes weeks.
@NeemExpert Thanks! Does neem oil work on armored scales too? I’ve heard they’re tougher.
Yes, but you’ll need to scrub the shells lightly with a toothbrush first. The oil penetrates better after breaking their armor!
Release lacewing larvae! They’re voracious scale-eaters. I ordered mine online and saw results in 2 weeks. No chemicals needed!
@LadybugLover Wow, where did you buy them? Are they safe for indoor plants?
Arbico Organics is reliable. Indoors work too, just keep humidity high so the larvae thrive!
Prune heavily infested branches ASAP! Scales spread fast. Burn or bag the trimmings, don’t compost!
Food-grade diatomaceous earth (DE) dusted on leaves dries them out. Reapply after rain. Safe for pets once settled!
Homemade garlic spray: Blend 4 cloves with water, strain, and spray. Scales hate the smell! Repeat every 3 days.
Summer horticultural oil smothers eggs and adults. Use at dusk to avoid leaf burn. Works on citrus scales!
Boost humidity and rinse plants weekly. Scales thrive in dry conditions. A strong spray of water knocks them off!