How to easily take care of plants and get rid of scale insects?

This is how it happens: you plant a houseplant or garden plant, put your whole soul into growing it, and after some time you notice that it has been overcome by scale insects.

Shield is the most important plant pest, so it is important for the gardener to get rid of it in time.

Content:

Why is scale insects so dangerous for plants?
Not all insects are pitied. How to get rid of scale insects?
Let's say a firm “no” to the scale insect, or preventive measures against the pest

Why is scale insects so dangerous for plants?

If you are an experienced gardener or florist, you should understand that any infestation of arthropods on a plant can be fraught with consequences.

The scale insect belongs to the group of homoptera, they have a rather rounded body and pronounced demorphism - the body of the female individual is covered with wax.

Demorphism is manifested in the fact that males are smaller in size and move more often, while females, on the contrary, are less mobile and sit on the same plant. This is explained simply - females lay eggs. But are scale insects as dangerous as they are said to be?

Scale insects are very dangerous for the plant and can lead to wilting. Arthropods feed on sap, especially males. Scale insects are female and sit still, but they still manage to feed on the plant.

Yellow or brown dots form where the juice is sucked out; over time, the affected plant begins to wither - it sheds its leaves, bares its buds and completely ceases to show signs of “life.”

Externally, it is very easy to recognize this parasite. They are mostly brown in color and are attached close to the veins of the plant.

You may not notice the arthropods themselves, but the sticky enzyme that you feel when you touch the leaves is the first sign of damage by this type of pest. It means that disease plants are progressing.

It is also worth noting that getting rid of scale insects is not as easy as it seems at first glance.

Today, you can use folk or store-bought remedies to kill parasites, but we recommend choosing the second option, as it turns out to be the most effective.

So, we managed to find out that the scale insect is a parasitic species of insect that infects the leaves of the plant by sucking the juice.

It remains very important for you to promptly pay attention to the first signs of damage, namely wilting and sticky enzyme on the foliage.

Not all insects are pitied. How to get rid of scale insects?

It has already been written above that modern methods of struggle against scale insects can be divided into homemade and store-bought remedies.

Naturally, if the plant is not completely affected, you can use traditional methods of pest control, but when we are talking about advanced cases, it is better to immediately go to the store for a chemical.

Getting rid of scale insects at home:

Laundry soap. Take 2 tablespoons of laundry soap and 3 liters of water.Mix these ingredients in a bottle and spray the affected plant. Remember that the procedure must be performed every other day, otherwise you will aggravate the already difficult situation of the plant. Spray the leaves of the plant on both sides.
Neem oil. This type of oil is often used by gardeners to treat trees. Take the product, apply it to a cotton sponge and treat the leaves of the plant. Experienced gardeners say that this is an effective procedure for destroying scale insects and can be used for preventive purposes.
Garlic solution. Grind 5 cloves of garlic in a garlic press, pour the mixture with 0.5 liters of water. Place the emulsion in a cool, dark place for 6-7 hours. Then spray the garlic solution on the affected areas of the plant. After 4 hours after spraying, rinse the leaves with warm water.

If we talk about store-bought products, the following products have proven themselves well: “Aktellik”, “Arrivo”, “Fitoverm”.

They will not only rid the plant of pests, but will also act as a preventative drug. It's like a 2 in 1 effect.

Remember your own safety. Before spraying the plant with a chemical spray, make sure that the areas of the face are well covered. This is especially true for the olfactory organs.

Folk and store-bought remedies will help you get rid of scale insects at home. After treatment and successful removal of the scale insect, it is necessary to resort to preventive measures.

Let's say a firm “no” to the scale insect, or preventive measures against the pest

Having gotten rid of scale insects, many simply forget about the basic rules of prevention. Meanwhile, you may again encounter the appearance of pests.Little tips will help you forget about the annoying scale insect.

Preventive measures that everyone should know:

Remember to inspect the plant's leaves once a week. This will help you identify the pest as early as possible.
Watering should be in moderation, the scale insect loves “stagnant” water.
It is better to store the affected plant in a garbage bag, this will make it possible to protect other plants from possible damage.
Once a month, treat the leaves of the plant with a soap solution, which has already been written about above.
Wipe the leaves of the plant with a rag soaked in a manganese solution.
If you find pests, first wipe the leaves with a rag. This way you will get rid of the already laid larvae.
Don’t forget to feed the flower, this will strengthen the plant’s immunity.

remember, that transfer Plants containing scale insects are strictly prohibited. Such simple tips will help protect the plant from possible pests.

It is very important for you to provide proper care and attention to the plant: check the leaves in a timely manner, treat them with soapy water, do not forget about fertilizing, and you will definitely protect the flower from the scale insect.

Some housewives recommend cutting off the affected areas with scissors. It is not known how effective the method is, since the scale insects are mainly located along the entire trunk of the plant.

So, we managed to find out about the characteristics of the scale insect, as well as ways to combat the pest. Remember that arthropods have strong immunity, so resort to comprehensive procedures to destroy the pest.

After using chemicals, make sure that you thoroughly rinse the product off the body areas.We hope our advice will bring results in the fight against this annoying pest.

Video of how the fight against scale insects works in practice: