I've tried systemic poisons, spray on non-toxic insecticidal soaps and finally, at the suggestion of my gardening guru mother, rubbing alcohol applied with a cloth. Only the rubbing alcohol has slowed it down. Unfortunately, applying it with a cloth only leads to damage for the plant as the scale tends to hide out at the intersections of the leaves and the stem. Today, I finally went with the nuclear option.
I filled a spray bottle with rubbing alcohol and just blasted the infested parts of the tree. I figure the tree's naturally waxy leaves and stem will be able to deal with the alcohol, but the scale won't. We shall see. In any case, the tree has been nuked pretty thoroughly. More updates in the weeks to follow.
Ok....Not joking here...hadda qualify first...I have a tendency to go with the "over the top" options....
ReplyDeleteSame Fiddle tree, same little nasties. ExP used the gamut of "cides, none of them worked and she demurred to a Spec Ops mission.
Propane Torch, wide angle flame fitting....worked like a charm.
Very little collateral damage, the insurrection was quashed handily.
(It's a little creepy if you're playing Wagners Flight of the Valkyries, though)
Maybe that's why she's the Ex-P.
Hmmmm
Wollf
Wollf, you're a genius. If my chemical attack doesn't work, I'll try your flamethrower idea.
ReplyDeleteUmmm, K T? You might want to read my post this evening on squirrel removal before you use my ideas....just sayin...
ReplyDelete