scale

[ericst11]

I've been battleing scale for 6 months and have tried every thing other then malithion . can some one give me some advice. I've neemed them rubbed them down with rubbing alchole use advid on them and a soap mix and repoted and physaned them and it slows them down but they just won't go away . I'm going crazy . I've been growing in doors for 8 years and never had so much hassel.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

I know you don't want to hear this, but Malathion is the way to go. I had a terrible scale problem this year also. It has never been so bad. My cattleyas were infected down to the rhizome. I spent four weekends dipping and scrubbing them. I filled a 32 gallon trash can with malathion and soaked my orchids for 5-10 minutes then took a tooth brush and scrubbed them down to the roots to remove scale. Next, I took a systemic spray and sprayed them. I have been spraying with malathion once a week since. Most of my scale problems are gone, but it still pops up here and there. I lost several beautiful cattleyas to it. Death to Scale!!

Cheers,
BD

[orchidman148]

I also use liquid Sevin. Have had good success. Orchidman148

[Tmai]

Scale!!! Yikes! I had a bout with it this spring and it just cropped up again on one of my catts. I tried everything, too, but the systemic was what finally worked for me. I use Bayer systemic. Out with ye', beast!! Good luck.

Tami

[Gin]

Death to scale ! and the others that plague us . I use Orthene Wp. as a drench and Safers on the tops until the Orthene kicks in . once a week for 3 weeks it is the eggs that some of the others like neem ect . miss . Bayer Tree and Shrub is good also a systemic ,a teaspoon to a gallon once a week for 3 weeks . It can be found at one of the big box stores . Gin

[Bob Tait]

Has anyone tried 'Organocide' for scale and thrips?

[Ron-NY]

Has anyone tried 'Organocide' for scale and thrips?

Organocide is just an oil (sesame & fish)...one can use any ultra fine horticultural oil with the same effect. The trick of using oils is to dilute to direction, clean off all the seen scale first and don't forget to peel back any paper-like sheaths. Spray all surfaces of the plant. Overcast day is the best. then repeat every 7- 10 days. for a total of 3 or 4 treatments

[JoeW]

This is a research article titled: Scale Insects on Orchids. It is dated 26, february 2009
"This note is written for the private orchid keeper or grower that generally has a small to medium sized indoor or small greenhouse collection of plants"
http://nathist.sdstate.edu/orchids/pests/scales.htm

There are several pesticides labeled for scale control such as carbaryl (Seven), acephate (Orthene), malathion, insecticidal soap and horticultural summer and dormant oil. Generally multiple sprays ten to twelve days apart are needed. Timing is very important with scale control if you have chosen to use an insecticide. Adult scale are difficult to control. They are most susceptible to insecticides in the young crawler stage. Several research reports are available and offer application and timing advice.
Scale Insects

'A well-timed "crawler spray" often is the most effective way to control scales. Newly hatched scale insects are called crawlers because during this brief period they are unarmored and mobile. In this state, they are susceptible to sprays of most insecticides. Common crawler treatments include Sevin, Orthene, malathion, insecticidal soaps and horticultural oils.'
Source: Scale insect pests

Also please see:
ENY-323/MG005: Scale Insects and Mealybugs on Ornamental Plants

[Ron-NY]

I just recalled, about 6-7 years back, my large Ficus tree started dripping sap. I discovered that there was a major scale issue. The tree was too large to get out of the house so sprays were out. I ended up using Merit (Marathon), a systemic insecticide. One application took care of my problem and no issue since.

[JoeW]

"Scale insects are generally controlled by natural enemies, including tiny parasitic wasps and predators such as ladybugs. It is very common for ladybugs to move onto a plant with a growing scale infestation;.....Most other insecticides, including insecticidal soaps, can be used only against the mobile crawler stage of scales since adult scales are protected from insecticides by a waxy covering. These treatments are very effective, but must be carefully timed as crawlers are only active for a limited period."
Source: Scale Insects