EntangledPearMar 4

I need pest help 🙏 Does anyone have an effective way to get rid of scale insects? I didn't really find anything that would eliminate all stages. I saw a recommendation for tobacco "tea", but before I go search for tobacco, I'd like to hear other people's experience. The bastards are almost invisible on the plants, and are killing my poinsettia 😭 (it's easier to see them on citrus plants, and scrape them off). I'll take something that will make the sap toxic for them, too.

#gardening #pests

Show threadDagnabbit, Pascaline! 💥Mar 4

@EntangledPear
I used tobacco years ago, it was effective but also damaged plants. The aphids were gone but it also kills good bugs. I would only repeat this if things got out of control.

I used Windex/Glassex eons ago inside, this was terrific. I had a vague idea it would help. This was before internet, and I never actually looked for this use online 😂 It got rid of aphids on a house plant. But some bugs are extremely difficult to get rid of, and some plants hardly have defences against them.

Show threadEntangledPearMar 4
@pascaline Ain't that the truth. I used to have huge problems with spider mites, but found that horticultural oil works quite well. Of course, air movement is the best, which is harder to achieve inside - the poinsettia never went outside, I wonder if I should try 🤔
Show threadDagnabbit, Pascaline! 💥Mar 4

@EntangledPear

Ah yes, that could be interesting.
Some house plants really benefit from going outside. You can try!

Show threadEntangledPear
@pascaline I kept it inside because it was growing the red leaves, which I heard is difficult to achieve, so I didn't want to change its conditions. But I'll try taking it out this year, if it helps it to survive 🥺
Mar 4 at 4:40pmWeb
Show threadDagnabbit, Pascaline! 💥Mar 4

@EntangledPear

Oooh, that is tricky then!
What a tough decision this will be. Ugh 💖