How to Control Scale Insects on Indoor Plants

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Pick off each insect from your plant or work the insect loose from your plant by using tweezers or your hands and collecting the scales in a towel or paper towel to carry them away for disposal.

   This works best on plants with large leaves.
2. 2

   Step 2: Dab each insect using a cotton ball or swab that has been soaked in alcohol if your plant only has a light infestation.

   , Results are generally only seen, though, after at least 1 month of regular application either by spraying on the mixture or wiping it on with a soft cloth.
   
   Make sure that any insecticide you use has a container labeled for inside plant use only. , Optionally, put what you have trimmed off the plant into a plastic bag before you walk through your home to put it in a disposal bin. ,, This technique is referred to as integrated pest management (IPM), and all you have to do is put the predator insect directly on your plant.
   
   Once the scales have all be eaten off, the predator insect will die from lack of food. ,
3. 3

   Step 3: Use an insecticide spray or create your own spray using mild dish soap.

4. 4

   Step 4: Prune heavily-infested plants to reduce the picking off or scrubbing that you need to do.

5. 5

   Step 5: Consider the use of horticultural oil or neem oil to remove scales on your plant.

6. 6

   Step 6: Buy a natural predator insect as another alternative.

7. 7

   Step 7: Quarantine any infested plants in a different area of your house to ensure that your other plants do not become infested.

Detailed Guide

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