Scale Insect

[Mararda]

I have just inspected my orchids as I do on a daily basis, and spotted something a little suspicious. The flower spike on one of my purple hybrids has what seems to be a bite out of it (fortunately it is not severed), and from looking closely at the leaves I saw about 3 or 4 scale insects. I instantly sprayed it all over with Ultimate Bug Killer, and proceeded to spray each plant in my collection (discovering a few more scales on a couple more of my Phalaenopsis as I went along). I have isolated the problem plants...And I hope that the pesky insects are now suffering their just deserts for eating my orchids alive!! I have ordered more insecticide to repeat the spraying in a few days time..

Has anyone got any tips/advice on further pest control (particularly scale insect).

I live in the UK.

[Chris1140]

The problem with adult scale is that they are covered in a hard shell that protects them from spraying. Many people use a toothbrush dipped in insecticidal soap or other insecticide and gently go over the plant and dislodge them. Or just squash them with your finger and then spray. Immature scale can be killed easily with insecticide, but they are highly mobile. Be sure to spray the entire plant especially undersides of leaves, the crown area, and even the top of the potting medium. Spray several times, several days apart to kill newly hatched insects.

[Mararda]

Oh God...:-( I have used all my insecticide up...have ordered some more. Thank you for the advice though Chris, I will see if my Dad has any more insecticide.

[Mararda]

With the type of spray I have used though, it states that it is absorbed throughout the plant..so hopefully the bugs will be poisoned from inside out, especially if they take a munch. Ha!

[tucker85]

Scale only need to be dislodged from the plant to kill them. You can use a tooth brush with a little soap and water, I use insecticide soap, and brush them off the plant. Scale can't bite a piece out of the plant though. When you see something actually eating part of a leaf, it's often slugs or snails.

[Chris1140]

With the type of spray I have used though, it states that it is absorbed throughout the plant..so hopefully the bugs will be poisoned from inside out, especially if they take a munch. Ha!

That's called a systemic, and yes it should kill them. Use according to directions and avoid direct contact with your skin. Good luck!

[Mararda]

Thank you for the advice. All plants have been sprayed and I have removed any visible insects - there were only about four in total..but I removed any odd looking lumps as well.

[coeruleo]

you can also make 'insecticidal soap' yourself, i add a squirt of dish soap to a spray bottle of water. cheap and effective. i get scale on my cymbidiums, so i take a cloth soaked in soapy water and wipe down the leaves. now that i have no cats, i am looking for a good systemic to use.

[BigSteve]

If the insecticide is Provado then it is contact & systemic , what i use .Be sure to treat plants again in a week or so.You can get Provado from B & Q.

[Mararda]

Thank for the tip, I will try that. :-)