In time, scale insects clump together on stems, looking like lumpy plant growth. Both types of scale have a protective coating – armored secrete a hard protective coating – sort of like it’s own little house on the plant. A stronger concentration is more likely to kill insects; however, caution is needed when applying more concentrated alcohol. When scales reach adulthood, they don’t move on plants, making them hard to identify. Redoctober Well-Known Member. One of the advantages of neem oil is that it’s an excellent preventative control method for keeping scale away from your plants. You could inadvertently bring in all sorts of plant pests—scales included—on cut garden flowers or fresh produce from the store. I think it’s because they’re often able to multiply quickly, and it’s tough to keep up with their reproduction rates. The alcohol will melt the protective wax that covers certain insects and dries the soft body parts of others, leading… The alcohol solution helps to breakdown the bug’s protective waxy layer, causing them to dehydrate and die. Most common is white wax scale, seen as large patches of white waxy material along the stems and shoots. Inspect the plant closely to make sure there is no damage from the test area. You may want to wipe away extra alcohol from the leaf so that it doesn’t damage the leaf tissue, especially if the plant is in windy location. The safe solution to use is 70% isopropyl alcohol mixed with water – around a 50/50 mix. During the growing season, inspect the underside of leaves and stem joints for signs of scales. Mature scale insects rarely move once they settle into a spot. The pesky scale bugs bite into plants to feed on the sap, resulting in discolored leaves, leaf drop and stunted plant growth. You can also use a liquid soap solution to kill scale bugs on plants. Before you spray the entire plant, be sure to test on one or two leaves first. Neem oil works to kill common plant bugs by disrupting their reproductive systems. During this time, brown or white scales appear on the bugs for protection. amzn_assoc_design = "enhanced_links"; Adults are visible on plants, though they often blend in. The bugs might never move from that spot. Spray the plant as often as necessary until your plant is pest-free. If inside plants are infested, you may be looking for a way to control scale insects on indoor plants. As long as you test the mixture first – on a small section of your plant such as one leaf and dilute the mixture properly as outlined above, it should not kill your plants. Watch out not to spray the plant in direct sunlight. Soft scale have a waxy coating that is connected to their body. Introducing beneficial insects such as ladybugs, beetles, and lacewings can help control scale populations. If you don’t want to make a homemade neem oil spray, you can buy commercial oil sprays for scale bug removal. If that’s not the case, some plants may simply need to have their leaves cleaned with a rubbing alcohol solution if they have collected too much dust in your home or office. This may require a bit of patience, but your plant will be thankful. Let the plant seat for 20 minutes after spraying then rinse with water. Rubbing alcohol can be an effective pesticide for use against aphids, mealybugs, spider mites and whiteflies . Scale insects on plants look like small brown or cream-colored bumps that are easily mistaken for plant growth. The alcohol kills bugs by dissolving the bug’s cells as it is a solvent. To be effective in eradicating scale bugs, spraying a neem oil solution all over the plant is necessary. Three types of scale can affect houseplants: The pink wax scale in this picture is a types of soft scale insect. One way to kill and remove as many of the scales from the plant as you can is by using a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol (you may need to pry some of them off using your fingernail). Use Rubbing Alcohol to Kill Scales on Plants. max316420 Well-Known Member. You can spray the solution on the pests as mentioned above or apply it directly with a cotton ball or swab. Armored scales can kill trees and must be controlled when their population gets too high. According to the University of California, tiny scale insects can get into a home on the wind through open windows. Yes, you can. For larger infestation dip a cloth in rubbing alcohol and wipe the affected leaves or stems. The scale bug is small, oval and flat, with a protective tan to brown shell-like covering (scale). Scales can do a lot of damage to houseplants and outdoor plants. The sweet gluey liquid causes black sooty mold growths. Different concentrations of rubbing alcohol mixture should be tested on plants. You will need several applications to kill off scale bugs and their nymphs. After the plant dries out the dead scale bugs will start to dry out too. Please note that rubbing alcohol if applied without dilution can burn the plants. The insect is small, oval and flat, with a tan to brown shell-like covering. Because nymphs can be hard to spot, you’ll need to use natural oil or soap sprays to debug the rest of your plant. There is a true, tested, safe aphid control method out there – it’s isopropyl alcohol. Put the roots under running water to get rid of any contaminated soil. CoolPlantBlog.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Trees heavily infested with armored scale often look water-stressed. Scales are small bugs in the insect order Hemiptera. Each species has a different host range and life cycle. This is why testing is vital. Does Rubbing Alcohol Kill Scale? It can coat a sago within months and kill it within a year. A few plants -- … You can treat scales the similarly as you would with mealybugs. The most common way of acquiring scale is purchasing an infested plant. Even though the bugs don’t look like they are moving, they are constantly feeding on the plant’s sap. One homemade insecticide that can really do the job is 70% rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol). Even worse, they can wipe out other nearby plants if you don’t take action. If you have a heavy infestation outdoors, prune away the stems with the most scales. To get rid of scales on plant, dab a cotton swab in 70% isopropyl alcohol and apply to scale insects to kill them. The scale can even affect the roots down to two feet deep. When scale numbers are low they may be rubbed or picked off of plants by hand. Scale is gone. Adult scale insects are usually covered in waxy shell-like cover. The soapy liquid helps to break down the scales coating. The scales can be tiny pests, measuring 2 mm, or larger bugs up to 5 mm in diameter. There are 8,000 species of scale bugs. Rubbing alcohol is an effective pest prevention and pest control method against aphids, mealybugs and, thankfully, soft scale insects. There may be evidence of honeydew and sooty mold if your plant has scales. Cycad aulacaspis scale seems to spread over short distances by wind, and long distances by the transport of infested plants. A popular home remedy is swabbing plants with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol. For a small infestation, you can rub the scale with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab to remove them. I have used rubbing alcohol for scale insects on Azalea. Pruning is just one part of your battle to remove all signs of scale insects. It is best to avoid synthetic pesticides to get rid of scales as the bugs quickly build up resistance. By no means does that imply you should leave your plant to fend for itself. Scale insects include many species that range in color and size and look like round bumps on the plant. As a Pesticide: Rubbing alcohol can be an effective pesticide for use against Aphids, mealybugs, spider mites and whiteflies. Scale bugs are plant pests with round or oval shape and range in size from minuscule dots to large lumps. In addition, many ferns produce spores that look a lot like brown scale. If you’ve got a scale infestation, you’ll notice brown shell-like scales stuck to the plant. Researchers from Colorado State University say that neem oil is a type of horticultural oil, useful for scale insect control. (1). To get rid of scales on plant, dab a cotton swab in 70% isopropyl alcohol and apply to scale insects to kill them. These predatory insects feed on scale eggs and larvae and can stop more pests appearing on plants. 3. These sucking insects gather on leaves and stems and can quickly build up to the point where they stunt plant growth. Alcohol sprays sometimes are recommended as insecticides, especially for the elimination of mealybugs, which can prove resistant to other treatments. For the purposes of this article though, the solution is effective against aphids, mealybugs, scale, red spider mites, fungus gnats, white flies and more. Crawlers—the tiny scale bugs that emerge from eggs—are most active in spring and summer. Fill in a spray bottle, shake well, and liberally spray all affected parts of your plant to kill the scale bugs. Replace your plant in the pot and fill it with fresh soil. If the plant is small enough you can try do dunk it in a bucket of soapy water, this way you won’t miss any spots on the plant. Alliteration aside, scale is a nasty pest because it spreads quick and is relatively difficult to remove. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit"; The wax covers the insects which feed on the sap. After successfully getting rid of scale insects from houseplants, it’s crucial to avoid them returning. It’s a good idea to test spray one leaf of an infested plant and wait a day to check for damage. Do not use other alcohols such as ethanol or methanol; they will penetrate the plant tissues and cause considerable damage. So First we will list out the Top 5 uses of alcohol in garden and plants. Despite your best intentions, sometimes nature will take its course and you’ll find yourself treating your plant for scale. As mentioned above, you should use 70% isopropyl alcohol. Most types of scale insects have oval-shaped bodies. 1. Rubbing alcohol effectively kills spider mites on contact. Use a cotton swab and coat them thoroughly. If you can, move the plant away from any air currents. Soft scale (for example pink wax scale and soft brown scale) are usually found on the mid-rib of leaves and stalks of host plants. Other signs of damage on scale-infested plants are yellow leaves, brown leaves, leaf drop, and dead foliage or stems. amzn_assoc_linkid = "be6fffee1077f0fa79608edcd007e62a"; But since you have put so much effort into raising your exotic plants, you may be cautious and wonder whether rubbing alcohol is safe to use on tropical plants in the first place? The hard scale does not leave this excretion. In order for rubbing alcohol to be effective, it must come in direct contact with the scale … In this guide to scale insect control, you will find out how to get rid of these plant-destroying bugs on houseplants and outdoor plants. What can you do to minimize the risk of scale insects infesting your prized houseplants? Unless it is a situation where the bugs or other pests are going to win the battle if you don’t take action soon. When Should you Transplant Seedlings to Bigger Pots. Follow-up. I spray my bay plant in the tub to avoid getting soapy, alcohol-y, buggy, water everywhere. Yes, this 50/50 mixture of rubbing alcohol and water can be very effective against armored or soft scale. It’s during their adult stage when scale bugs do the most damage. Types of scale on citrus plants in the soft scale group are Caribbean Black Scale and Cottony Cushion Scale. Dip a clean sponge in soapy water and wipe down both sides of the plant leaves and stems to get rid of scales. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; Remember, if you notice one plant with a scale infestation, isolate it immediately from other plants to avoid scales making their way to other plants. Some houseplants have sensitive, delicate leaves. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; The males look more like tiny flies. Rubbing Alcohol. But it doesn’t matter how scales get into your home, if you’ve got problems with a scale bug infestation, then getting rid of them fast is your top priority. Scale affected plants will be sickly and show yellowing of the leaves and leaf drop. Both types of scale have a protective coating – armored secrete a hard protective coating – sort of like it’s own little house on the plant. The residual effect of neem oil means that the natural homemade scale spray continues working after applying it. But because there is generally no movement through their life cycle, identifying scale insects is tricky. The alcohol is effective at killing the scale as it dissolves their protective armor and then proceeds to kill the bugs. There are many different brands. Related: Common Houseplant Pests: Types, Identification, and Control. Scale insects are destructive houseplant pests that look like small bumps on plant stems and leaves. There are many suitable alternatives to toxic pesticides to get rid of scale insects. If you notice any scale bugs, soak a cotton swab in 70% alcohol and apply directly to the bugs to kill them instantly. But other ways that scale insects get into the house and infest plants are from using contaminated soil, reusing an unsterilized pot, or keeping houseplants outside in the summer. Fill 1 quart (1 l) spray bottle with lukewarm water and add 1-2 teaspoons of liquid dish soap or Castile soap. 70% means that 70% of the contents in the bottle is alcohol and 30% is water. If you love your tropical plants and value the months or even years of effort you have put into them to keep them alive, you will want to keep a sharp eye out for pests that can undo all of your work in a short amount of time. If you have a Boston fern, then I suggest cutting off all of the folige at the soil line - … What are the best ways to eliminate scale on plants naturally? Just make sure that they are natural products from organic sources to prevent toxic chemicals in your home. Their shiny oval bodies attach to plant stems or leaves. Some are more sensitive than others, but most eventually will have a time when they become infested by pests such as scale or mealybugs. To get rid of scale insects from your plants, rub their stems with an old toothbrush or a cotton swab dipped in Isopropyl alcohol, which will kill any insects on them. The scale group of bugs includes many species, grouped as armored, soft and mealybug. Before repotting your infested houseplant, ensure you kill off all traces of scales on the plant. Although scale insects don’t seem to move, the tiny, newly-hatched nymphs can infest other nearby plants. Let’s learn more about identifying scale and how to control them. The good news is that, as far as pests go, scale takes a long time (or an intense infestation) to do serious damage to your plants. Be sure to dispose of the contaminated plant parts in the trash, not compost. To get rid of scale on plants, mix two teaspoons of organic neem oil and a teaspoon of Castile soap with a 1 quart (1 l) of lukewarm water. Neem oil is a natural insecticide to get rid of scaly houseplant pests. If you see a few scale pests, dab them with alcohol. Identifying scale insects on houseplants requires looking for unusual bumpy growth on stems and the underside of leaves. Here’s a video demonstrating the application of rubbing alcohol on the scale pests. To get rid of scale insects prune and dispose of infested branches, twigs and leaves. Scales often come from the outdoors as well as from new infested houseplants. As scale bugs can infect houseplant soil, it is vital to replace potting soil to ensure you eliminate scale insects from your plants and to make sure they don’t return. amzn_assoc_asins = "B0071E1YJO"; Here is an example of the correct type of rubbing alcohol to buy. So, always inspect new plants for signs of an infestation before bringing into your house. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; The first step when noticing scale infestation on a plant is to isolate it and remove the affected parts. These tiny insects can appear as benign brown growths on your plants, but on the underside of their shells, they’ve firmly adhered themselves to your plant and are sucking away at its sap. Scale life cycle starts as an egg before going through 2 growth stages and then becoming an adult. If you have plants in your office or at home, over time the leaves will get dusty and need to be cleaned to ensure the plant can breathe properly – as well as look their best! So, as well as noticing unusually tan-colored lumps on plants, the stems and leaves may be sticky and start turning black. They feed by sucking sap and some can weaken host plants, many excrete a sticky substance (honeydew), which allows the growth of sooty moulds. For larger infestation dip a cloth in rubbing alcohol and wipe the affected leaves or stems. Yes, it is. After noticing signs of scale on plants such as brownish-red or white-gray bumps it’s vital to isolate the plant. Scale coverings range in size, shape, and color depending on species. There are more than 25 species of scale insect found in British Gardens. On hard-leaved plants, remove scale by gently rubbing with fingers or an infant's soft toothbrush, with or without alcohol. Read on to find out. You may notice a sticky substance underneath the plant. I don’t know about you, but that doesn’t sound like a good way to go. The life cycle of scales starts as an egg before going through two growth stages (instars) and maturing as adults. If you have pests like scales or mealybugs, try spraying them on a small section of the plant or one or two leaves. Infested plants scale affected plants will be way more sensitive than others dipped in alcohol! 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