What Are Scale Mites?
Raising plants can add excellent relaxation and stress relief to your life. That is, until you find an infestation of scale mites. What are these scale-like little creatures invading your plant, and how do you get rid of them safely and effectively?
Scale mites are insects that suck the nutrients from your plant and get their name from their scale-like protective coverings. When you find an infestation early, you can use several methods of removal to save your plants. The key is acting quickly.
This article from guest poster Jessica will explain exactly what scale mites are, including what they look like and how to get rid of them. We’ll also cover whether a plant can recover from a case of scale.
Read on for everything you need to know about dealing with scale mites on your plants!
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How Do You Get Rid of Scale Mites on Plants?
You can remove scale mites in several different ways, but here are some of the most effective:
Pruning infested branches
Using rubbing alcohol
Using horticultural oil
Using insecticidal soap
Applying neem oil
Using beneficial insects
You can watch this video for more information:
What Are Scale Mites?
Scale mites are part of a large group of insects that are closely related to aphids and whiteflies; however, you’ll note their completely different appearance. They have wide variations in size and appearance but grow beneath a scale-like wax covering.
The wax covering is what causes the different appearances. They can look like any of the following:
Flattened ovals
Small mussels
Oyster shell shapes
Dome shaped
Fluffy coating
The female scales are generally immobile and have no wings. In most cases, you will not be able to see their legs or antennae. If you’re inexperienced with identifying these insects, you may not even recognize them as living creatures.
When they first hatch, they’re called crawlers, as they are mobile. They move around the plant in search of a good place to feed and are generally about the size of a pinhead. Once they settle in, they begin losing their legs.
Very few species of scale mites have legs as female adults. On the other hand, the males look completely different. Their resemblance is similar to that of a gnat, but they have no mouthparts and do not feed.
A complication caused by scale mites is the production of substances like the sticky liquid honeydew. This can promote the growth of sooty mold, which feeds on the substance. The mold interferes with the process of photosynthesis, causing a yellowing of the leaves.
There are many different host plants these scale mites will feed on. Some are limited to specific species of plants. They feed by using their extra-long mouthparts, which can range from six to eight times as long as their bodies.
Are There Benefits of Scale Mites?
It may be surprising to learn that some species of scale mites are prized for the materials they produce. Some grow on cacti and are used to produce red dyes for foods and clothing. Others are known for producing shellac.
Do Scale Insects Live in the Soil?
Scale insects must be attached to a live plant to survive. Only the young are mobile, as the adult females lose their legs as they find their permanent feeding locations. Because of this, they cannot live in the soil.
However, they can travel through it as they are making their way to their final feeding spot, which might lead to the misconception that they can live in it.
What Causes Scale on Plants?
As the scale mite settles into its feeding spot, it will begin to develop its shell around it. Because of its scale-like appearance, this shell gives the insect its name. They can be soft scale or armored scale, depending on the type of scale mite.
It is when there is an infestation of scale mites, and these scales overtake a plant. The problem is much easier to treat when there are fewer insects to deal with.
How to Prevent Scale Mites
To help prevent scale mites, you need to ensure your plants have healthy base conditions for growth. Regular pruning will prevent several types, including citricole scale, black scale, and cottony cushion scale infestations.
While you may be drawn to certain types of plants, you’ll want to check to see if they’re known for being more susceptible to scale. Instead, you can choose a similar plant that does have the same problems.
It’s important to make a decision early if you’re dealing with trees because once they’re grown, they’re a lot harder to deal with.
You’ll also need to control the ant populations in your garden. Ants function as scale protectors and can help promote the spread of sooty black mold. Try pruning to remove any bridges where they can reach areas of high scale growth.
Should I Throw Away Plant With Scale?
When you find a visible scale on your plant, you should physically remove it. However, if the spot is bad enough, you will need to remove the affected parts. Prune the plant all the way to the stem and discard the removed leaves and branches.
During this time, you’ll need to keep the plant isolated as you inspect it routinely for a period of 7-14 days. This will prevent your other plants from becoming infected. However, if the infestation is bad enough, you may find it more efficient to throw the entire plant out.
In addition, the plant may not come back from the damage caused by the insects if it is too infested. Scale mites suck the sap and nutrients from inside, weakening the plant. If too much is taken, it could make the plant unable to bounce back.
Despite your best efforts, your plant may be beyond repair. You’ll have to make a judgment based on the amount of scale you see as to whether it’s best to remove the infestation or get a new plant.
How to Treat Scale on Plants
When you find scale on your plants, it’s you need to act quickly, especially if you have a small amount. This is the best time to react, as you will have a better chance of removing the problem before it becomes a full-blown infestation.
Prune First, Ask Questions Later
If you find the infestation when it’s light, the best option is to prune away all affected areas of the plant. In addition, if you have nearby plants, you will need to check all of them for signs of scale mites.
Do not throw the pruned parts of the plant into the compost. It’s best to throw them in the trash or, if you feel comfortable doing it, burn them.
Use Rubbing Alcohol
Another option is to use rubbing alcohol. However, this is only suggested for very light problems. You will need to apply the alcohol directly to the scale mites with a cotton swab.
Unfortunately, this approach can be very time-consuming, especially if you’ve developed a problem on several plants at once. So, you can modify it by creating a spray bottle with one part rubbing alcohol to seven parts water.
Spray this mixture on the affected areas. Repeat either process every 2-3 days until the scale mites are eliminated. Rubbing alcohol is the most effective process for treating indoor plants that have a scale mite infestation.
Use Horticultural Oil
Scale mites pose another problem–they can overwinter in the form of nymphs or eggs inside tree bark. Because of this, using horticultural oil in late spring is a great way to ensure they don’t survive.
You’ll need a garden sprayer filled with a combination of 2-5 ounces of horticultural oil per 1 gallon of water. This is an effective method of smothering the insects before they ever have the chance of breaking free from their protective coatings.
The scale mites can be anywhere on the plant, including the stems, so you’ll need to treat the whole thing.
Try Insecticidal Soap or Neem Oil
Insecticidal soap is another option, but it won’t work on adults. This application is ideal for the larval stage. To use, 1 ounce of soap should be combined with 1 gallon of water.
You’ll need to spray your plants until the leaves are dripping to ensure the best results. This will require several applications as the soap will not last long when exposed to the elements.
Another option is neem oil.
Neem oil does two things. First, it can protect against a scale mite infestation. Second, it can destroy one that’s taken hold.
This pesticide contains azadirachtin that doesn’t just focus on the larva–it goes after the established insects as well. Neem oil will not readily mix with water, so you’ll need to add some dish soap to act as an emulsifier to create your solution.
A general formula for the combination is
1-2 tbsp dish soap
1-2 tbsp neem oil
1 gal water
You can easily apply it with a garden sprayer. Pesticides containing azadirachtin are considered organic and safe for most beneficial insects, such as honey bees.
Try Beneficial Insects
Another method of mitigating a scale mite infestation is using beneficial insects. Certain insects, such as lady beetles, parasitic wasps, and soldier beetles, can be highly effective in helping combat your infestation.
You can encourage these insects to come to your plants by providing food and shelter. Alternatively, you can purchase and release them into your garden.
Note that you should always choose chemical pesticides as your last resort. These have certain compounds in them that are devastating to the honey bee population. They can also impact other pollinators.
Because of this, they should be used sparingly or not at all. With the number of organic and plant-based options available, there are plenty of solutions to try before resorting to this method.
Does Vinegar Get Rid of Scale on Plants?
Vinegar is an alternative to using rubbing alcohol. You will mix it with water in the same manner and apply it directly to the insects affecting your plants. The process will need to be repeated over the course of several days to ensure all the insects are removed.
Alternatively, you can replace alcohol and vinegar with household dish soap. If any one of the methods is not working, try swapping for one of the other two.
Can a Plant Recover from Scale?
If you act quickly at the first sight of scale on your plant, you have a chance of saving it. Waiting can result in the rapid spread to your nearby plants and the utter destruction of your garden, whether inside or outside.
Scale mites suck the life from your plants to survive. It’s essential to remove them as quickly as possible to reduce the damage they cause. In addition, the longer you wait, the harder the time you’ll have to remove the offending insects.
Once you have the insects removed, it’s time to begin rebuilding the health of your affected plants. You’ll need to provide them with extra attention to ensure they are getting the nutrition they need while keeping an eye out for a resurgence in an infestation.
Choosing the appropriate plants for your garden is so important. With many that are susceptible to scale mites, you’ll want to avoid planting them when possible. This will help keep your garden and other plants safe from these devastating insects.
When the infestation on your plant is out of hand and beyond your control, it may be in your best interest to start over with a new plant. You’ll have to evaluate the situation, looking at the damage the plant has already experienced before making your decision.
Acting quickly, in any case, is key to preventing the spread of the problem. With the right actions, you can safely and effectively rid yourself of scale mites.
Remember, it’s best to avoid systemic insecticides when possible - so try these ideas instead!
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