scale insect control

kevinkk
Premium Member - 2022

Posts: 827
Country: Oregon,USA

scale insect control Jan 15, 2021 17:45:19 GMT -8

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Post by kevinkk on Jan 15, 2021 17:45:19 GMT -8

I've got a small Schinus molle tree, I hope I spelled that correctly, that is covered in scale monsters.
I've tried systemic pesticide and a spray meant to kill these pests, but nothing has worked, I did the alternating application
to foil their particular life cycle.
The spray nearly killed the tree, but the bugs survived.
Anyone have a good idea other than fire? I think the tree is lost for the purpose I wanted, a food plant, it's about 2 feet tall
and fairly bushy, should I trash it and get another? These trees are hard to find, at least in Oregon, I bought it from Etsy.. only place I could find,
even Ebay was a wash.

marsdenda
Premium Member - 2022

Posts: 60

scale insect control Jan 16, 2021 9:03:17 GMT -8 Adam Cotton and kevinkk like this

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Post by marsdenda on Jan 16, 2021 9:03:17 GMT -8

Kevin,

As you can see scales are difficult to control. The systemic insecticide (Imidclorprid) should do a good job on the existing scales. Keep in mind they will stay on the tree even if they are dead, they do not fall off as the scales mouthparts are embedded in the stems so the scale will die but stay on the tree. The scale lays its' eggs under the scale and when the egg hatch (crawlers) these are the only stage susceptible to a spray treatment of the tree, so you need to time the foliar application to when the crawlers are active. If the tree is small as you say, you can put it in a large sealed trash bag with a nopest strip for 4 or 5 days and that should fumigate any of the scales that are still alive on the tree.

Hope this helps

Dave

Adam Cotton Moderator Posts: 3,496 Country: Thailand	scale insect control Jan 16, 2021 12:27:13 GMT -8 kevinkk likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Adam Cotton on Jan 16, 2021 12:27:13 GMT -8 Kevin, Note that systemic insecticides may well be active in the plant for several months or even years, which could render it useless as a larval food plant. Adam.

kevinkk
Premium Member - 2022

Posts: 827
Country: Oregon,USA

scale insect control Jan 18, 2021 19:50:30 GMT -8

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Post by kevinkk on Jan 18, 2021 19:50:30 GMT -8

Jan 16, 2021 12:27:13 GMT -8 Adam Cotton said:

Kevin,

Note that systemic insecticides may well be active in the plant for several months or even years, which could render it useless as a larval food plant.

Adam.

I know, systemic insecticide was a last ditch attempt, and I know how it works. I might try the bag and a pest strip, the life cycle is built to last
though. Tough little guys and gals.
I've even taken the time to go over every stem and leaf and smush the offenders, but all that did was make my hands sticky.

Last Edit: Jan 18, 2021 19:53:10 GMT -8 by kevinkk

Post by kevinkk on Jan 15, 2021 17:45:19 GMT -8

Post by marsdenda on Jan 16, 2021 9:03:17 GMT -8

Post by Adam Cotton on Jan 16, 2021 12:27:13 GMT -8

Post by kevinkk on Jan 18, 2021 19:50:30 GMT -8