How to Get Rid of Black Scale on Tropical Plants
Black scales are a form of insect that attach themselves to tropical plants and feed on the sap from the plant, usually for their entire life cycle if they are not removed. Scales do not look like most other insects in that they do not have a pronounced head, feet or tail and are instead oval or semicircular in shape. These pests can take a toll on the health of your plants, both directly by feeding on sap that should be providing nutrients to the plant, and indirectly by attracting ants and causing the formation of sooty mold. Use some simple but effective methods to get rid of black scales on tropical plants. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Inspect your plants regularly for scales. Look closely and take action immediately upon finding them. If possible, remove plants that are infected to another area for treatment so the scales do not spread to other plants.
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Scrub the scales off the infected plants by using a toothbrush. This works well for minor infestations of scales, or when you happen to locate one or two as you do routine inspections of your tropical plants.
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Mix a batch of dish soap and vegetable oil to spray the plants with, thus suffocating the scales. In a spray bottle, combine two cups of vegetable oil with one cup of pure liquid soap. Shake and stir these ingredients well, until the liquid turns white.
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Spray the surface of the plant liberally, and repeat by spraying every week for one month. Repeat as necessary.
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Comments
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The oil/soap mixture has a much heavier consistency than I thought and shoots out like toothpaste. Curious if sponging it on would be more effective than a spray bottle, or perhaps adding water?
