How to get rid of scale insects for good?
Need an effective treatment against scale insects ? Here's our step-by-step guide to eliminate them without toxic products in indoor plants or small greenhouses.
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You will need :
•Scissors / Pruners
•Plastic bags
•Black soap
•Basin
•Cloth / Fine brush
Natural predators :
•Green lacewings
You will need :
•Scissors / Pruners
•Plastic bags
•Black soap
•Basin
•Cloth / Fine brush
Natural predators :
•Green lacewings
Preparation
Remove debris
Start by removing dead leaves and other debris from the plant.
Wrap the pot
Wrap the pot in a plastic bag to protect the root ball during the treatment.
Cleaning
(Normal)
Prepare a work space
Prepare a work space that can get wet; ideally outside, in the sink or in the bathtub.
Adjust the water
Use the strongest stream of water possible without damaging the plant. (hose, faucet, shower head, etc.).
Wash the leaves and stems
Generously spray all the leaves and stems, paying close attention to the nodes and small gaps. Cover all angles in several passes.
Cleaning
(Non-washable plants)
Prepare the basin
Prepare a basin of black soap solution. Dissolve five tablespoons per liter of warm water.
Wash the leaves and stems
Clean all the leaves and stems by scrubbing them with the brush or soaked cloth. Pay attention to the nodes and small gaps that can harbor scales.
Rinse the plant
Rinse the plant with water to wash away any scales that have been dislodged.
Drying
Let the plant dry
Wait for the leaves to be completely dry before introducing predators.
First introduction
Introduce the lacewings
Install the lacewing strips in infested plants.
Second introduction
Repeat the introduction
Wait three weeks and repeat the same introduction.
Monitoring and prevention
Monitor
Monitor for at least eight weeks. If new signs of scales appear, do another cleaning.
Prevent
Once the scales are eradicated, continue monitoring. Ideally, do a few additional lacewing introductions to prevent reinfestation.
Preparation
Remove debris
Start by removing dead leaves and other debris from the plant.
Wrap the pot
If treating a potted plant, wrap the pot in a plastic bag to protect the root ball during treatment.
Cleaning
(Normal)
Prepare a work space
Prepare a work space that can get wet; ideally outside, in the sink or in the bathtub.
Adjust the water
Use the strongest stream of water possible without damaging the plant. (hose, faucet, shower head, etc.).
Wash the leaves and stems
Generously spray all the leaves and stems, paying close attention to the nodes and small gaps. Cover all angles in several passes.
Cleaning
(Non-washable plants)
Prepare the basin
Prepare a basin of black soap solution. Dissolve five tablespoons per liter of warm water.
Wash the leaves and stems
Clean all the leaves and stems by scrubbing them with the brush or soaked cloth. Pay attention to the nodes and small gaps that can harbor scales.
Rinse the plant
Rinse the plant with water to wash away any scales that have been dislodged.
Drying
Let the plant dry
Wait for the leaves to be completely dry before introducing predators.
First introduction
Introduce the lacewings
Install the lacewing strips in infested plants.
Second introduction
Repeat the introduction
Wait three weeks and repeat the same introduction.
Monitoring and prevention
Monitor
Monitor for at least eight weeks. If new signs of scales appear, do another cleaning.
Prevent
Once the scales are eradicated, continue monitoring. Ideally, do a few additional lacewing introductions to prevent reinfestation.
Predators
What quantity of lacewings do I need ?
Use one strip per single plant, per shelf, or per square meter of grouped plants. To calculate order quantities, click here
How do I introduce the natural predators ?
The usage instructions may vary by product. Consult the product page for details.
Treatment
Should I replace my plant's substrate?
Nymphs and adult scales remain on the foliage. It is therefore unnecessary to change the plant's substrate.
What should I do if my plants cannot be cleaned?
If you cannot clean with water or black soap, it will be harder to treat your scales. As a last resort, you can use black soap as a foliar spray and increase the frequency of predator introductions.
What should I do if I still have scales after this treatment?
Scales are particularly resistant. If some plants seem more affected than others, consider discarding the problem plants or cleaning them every 14 days.