Scale on indoor plants is one of the most common problems with ornamental plants found in every home. Most often, parasites infect leaves, stems and flower petioles. Pests stick tightly to the surface of plants and suck out useful elements from them. Then the affected flower begins to deform and stops growing. Therefore, the question often arises of how to get rid of scale insects on indoor plants: 10 ways.
Soap-alcohol solution
There are relatively few effective folk remedies that can cope with scale insects. The insect's body is covered with a durable chitinous shell. Therefore, it is important to use rather caustic compounds that can dissolve it. In this case, the substance should not harm the indoor flower.
One of the most effective remedies is a soap-alcohol solution. To prepare it, it is recommended to use laundry or tar soap. Green potash soap is also a good option. If there is no such tool, you can use the usual one. In addition, it is permissible to use washing powder or dishwashing detergent.
To make the solution, it is recommended to do the following:
- Grind 15-20 grams of solid soap on a fine grater.
- Beat the resulting shavings in 1 liter of hot water. The result is foam.
- Add 10 milliliters of medical alcohol to the composition and mix thoroughly.
- Test the product on one leaf to make sure it is safe. If after half an hour no negative changes occur, the composition can be used.
- Apply the product with a sponge or brush. This needs to be done evenly. First, the soil must be covered with a piece of film or other material that does not allow moisture to pass through.
- Leave for 3-5 hours. After this, rinse off the product with warm water.
It is recommended to repeat the procedure 2-4 times with an interval of 7-10 days. It depends on the activity of the parasites. You can also water the soil. However, in this case, showering the plant will not help. It will need to be replanted, completely replacing the soil. It is also necessary to thoroughly wash the pot.
Petrol
In case of isolated lesions, the plant can be treated pointwise. Gasoline is used for this.This substance perfectly dissolves chitinous coverings. To achieve the desired results, the composition must be applied to each parasite using a cotton swab.
The chemical will corrode the shell in 2-4 hours. Then the plant should be wiped with a clean cloth. It is recommended to process the crop systematically. This is done every 2-4 days for 2 weeks. One procedure will not give results. After it, most likely, pests, their larvae and eggs will remain.
You should use machine oil in a similar way. It does not damage the chitinous coverings, but helps to block the spiracles of pests. As a result, they lose the ability to breathe.
After such exposure, the parasites die within 1.5-2 hours. In this case, the manipulation also needs to be carried out repeatedly. This will help destroy parasites at different stages of development.
It is permissible to replace gasoline with kerosene, acetone, and turpentine. Machine oil can be replaced with vegetable oil. Gasoline analogues can be safely used for spraying lemons and other citrus plants. This substance does not leave burns on their foliage. Vegetable oil is considered a gentle option. It can be used for processing orchids and other delicate crops.
Strong chemicals should not be used on flowers with thin leaves. However, the oil is not suitable for leaves covered with fluff or villi.
Garlic infusion
To make this remedy, you should use garlic. This product has a pungent aroma that pests cannot tolerate. To prepare the infusion you need to do the following:
- Grind 200 grams of garlic until smooth.
- Add 1 liter of hot water and seal the container tightly. After which you need to shake its contents well.
- Leave to infuse for 4-5 days under a well-closed lid. The composition should be shaken well several times a day.
- Strain the infusion.
The liquid is recommended for spraying. In this case, the soil must first be covered. The procedure should be performed at intervals of 3-4 days. With a small number of parasites, 3-4 treatments are usually enough.
Chili pepper (infusion)
To use this product, you need to take a chili pepper and chop it. This can be done using a knife, blender or meat grinder. Mix 50 grams of the resulting mass with 500 milliliters of water and mix well.
After this, the composition must be brought to a boil and cooked for 10 minutes. Then the container must be removed from the stove, tightly closed and stored in a warm and dark place for 7 days.
During preparation, it is recommended to shake the infusion every day, and strain before use. It can be kept in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 8-10 weeks. After this, the properties of the product will be lost.
To use chili pepper infusion, you need to spray the affected plants, cover them with film and fix it on the pot. Leave for 2-4 hours and then rinse thoroughly with water.
The caustic liquid corrodes the chitinous shells of scale insects well. However, it is important to consider that it can also cause harm to the flower. Therefore, an infusion of hot pepper can only be used for those plants that have dense leaves. So, this remedy is ideal for Ficus Benjamin.Crops can be processed maximum once every 12-14 days. Usually, 2-3 manipulations are enough to destroy scale insects.
Chemicals
Today there are no special means for destroying scale insects. However, there are many insecticides that are used to control aphids and other pests. They can also be used to destroy scale insects.
"Aktara"
This is a broad-spectrum insecticidal agent that belongs to the group of neonicotinoids. Its active component is considered to be thiamethoxam, which is considered a synthetic derivative of nicotine.
"Aktara" effectively destroys scale insects, false scale insects, and aphids. It can be used to combat thrips, soil flies, and mealybugs. In this case, the product affects exclusively adult insects.
The effect of one spray lasts for 3 weeks. Therefore, Aktara can be used once. It is important to consider that over several generations scale insects can develop resistance to this product. Therefore, the insecticide must be alternated with other substances.
"Aktara" is produced in the form of a suspension or granules. After treatment, the composition is absorbed by the root system and integumentary tissues, spreading through the sap flow system. After 2-3 hours the effect of the product begins.
The drug acts as a neurotoxin. When ingested, it suppresses the activity of the pest’s nervous system. As a result, he loses the ability to breathe and absorb food. The death of the parasite occurs within 20-24 hours.
When working with Aktara indoors, it is necessary to use personal protective equipment. In this case, you must wear glasses, a respirator, and rubber gloves.
To prepare the working fluid, it is recommended to mix 1 gram of the substance with 1.25 liters of clean water at room temperature. In order for the product to dissolve well without sediment, it is necessary to mix the liquid thoroughly. After treating the plant, the room must be closed for 5-6 hours. When watering at the root, this time period is reduced to 1.5-2 hours. It is imperative to adhere to consumption standards. When spraying, use 0.1-0.2 liters per 1 square meter; when watering, 1 liter is enough for 25 medium-sized pots.
"Fitoverm"
This drug has a gentle effect and does not cause harm to humans. Therefore, experienced gardeners begin the fight against scale insects with this substance. To make a working solution, it is recommended to mix 2 milliliters of the chemical with 200 milliliters of water.
"Fufanon"
This insectoacaricidal drug is actively used in agriculture. It is also often used in everyday life for disinfection of premises. The name “Fufanon” hides a whole line of drugs. To destroy scale insects on indoor plants, it is worth using products such as “Nova” and “Expert”. The active component of these drugs is considered to be malathion, which is an organophosphorus compound.
The drug is used to combat scale insects and false scale insects. It also helps cope with spider mites, thrips, ants, and soil flies. Fufanon is produced in the form of an aqueous emulsion and its concentrate. The drug has an enteric-contact principle of action.After one treatment, the effect of the substance lasts up to 3 weeks.
When the composition enters the body of an insect, it transforms into malaoxone, which is dangerous for it, within 1-2 hours. It suppresses breathing and heart activity. This leads to paralysis and death of the parasite within 24 hours.
To prepare the working solution, it is recommended to take 2 milliliters of the drug per 1.5 liters of water. This volume is enough for 10 square meters. After treating indoor plants, it is recommended to close the room for 2-4 hours and then ventilate well. It is important to consider that Fufanon has a distinct, specific odor. It can be used twice with an interval of 1 week.
With prolonged use, parasites get used to Fufanon. If their attacks are repeated systematically, the product must be alternated with other insecticides - pyrethroids or neonicotinoids.
"Metaphos"
This insecticidal drug has a wide spectrum of action and belongs to the group of organic phosphorus agents. The composition has a contact mechanism of action. With its help, it is possible to cope with scale insects and false scale insects. Metaphos also successfully destroys whiteflies, spider mites, and scale insects.
When it comes into contact with chitinous integuments, the substance penetrates the parasite’s body and causes a disturbance in the metabolism of acetylcholine. This causes paralysis and death of the pest.
The product is sold in ampoules. To make a working solution, their contents must be mixed with 10 liters of water. The majority of parasites die within 1 hour after treatment. It takes another 2 days to destroy the remaining pests. The effect of this treatment lasts up to 20 days. It is permissible to use the product twice a year.
"Confidor"
To cope with scale insects, it is recommended to take 1 gram of Confidor per 500 milliliters of water. Within 3-4 hours the pests will die. The remaining parasites need to be collected from the flower using moistened gauze. It is important to consider that Confidor does not pose a danger to the plant.
"Aktellik"
This product belongs to the insectoacaricides of intestinal contact action. It successfully copes with scale insects, false scale insects, and aphids. Actellik also helps get rid of Colorado potato beetles, whiteflies, and spider mites.
The active component of the product is considered to be pirimiphos-methyl. The period of protective action of the substance in open ground is 3-10 days. When using the product at home, it increases to 10-12 days. The main disadvantage of the product is the intense odor, which persists for another 1-2 days after treatment.
Scale insects are considered a rather dangerous pest that can cause great harm to indoor plants. To cope with the parasite, you need to choose the right product and strictly follow the instructions for its use.
