How to Get Rid of Scales
- 1). Examine a plant to determine if it is infested with hard or soft-bodied scales. Hard bodied insects are more difficult to remove, as their armor protects against insecticides.
- 2). Use your thumbnail to dislodge and dispose of any hard-bodied adult scale insects hiding under the leaves or on the stem of your plant. This is the fastest and easiest way to get rid of them, but it only works if you have one small plant.
- 3). Spray the plant(s) thoroughly with an insecticidal soap if you have a great number of scale insects, or too many plants to remove them by hand. The soap will suffocate both the hard and soft-bodied scales.
- 4). Use an old toothbrush to remove any dead scale from each plant, as they do not fall off when they die. If your plants are strong, you can also direct a powerful stream of water at them in order to rinse off the dead bodies.
- 5). Monitor your plants carefully. If you see signs of the insects, reapply the insecticidal soap. Continue to treat the plants once a week or until there are no longer any signs of the scales.
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