What to do if succulents get scale insects
A comprehensive introduction to the topics related to succulents in the floral clinic, how to deal with scale insects on succulents, keep reading!
It's almost time for the outbreak of scale insects again, an old problem. What to do if succulents get scale insects? Every year we talk about the same issue, but this year let's try something different. This article is a flower enthusiast's experience in preventing and controlling scale insects, including insights on prevention, pest control, and medication, which is very valuable for flower enthusiasts to refer to.
Just finished applying pesticides for prevention and killing scale insects, and I remember to remind the beginners that now is the best time to check and kill scale insects. I'm sharing some tips, hoping they are useful. If anything is incorrect, please excuse me, just pretend you didn't see it.
1. Scale insects are not可怕
Many people are afraid of scale insects and root mealybugs. Once they get them, they feel overwhelmed and don't know what to do. Some people even throw away the plants. In fact, they are not that可怕. They are very fragile and can be easily eradicated if you master the right methods and practice. Strategically, you should undervaluing the enemy.
Also, be prepared with this mindset: scale insects cannot be completely eliminated, but we can achieve long-term peaceful coexistence with them, keeping their population under control and not causing any impact. It's like other decaying fungi and pathogenic bacteria in the soil, they also exist long-term, but it's usually fine.
2. The preventive methods I consider inappropriate
Some people rush to wash the roots carefully as soon as they get the plants, whether they find any pests or not, just for prevention. I think this is very inappropriate. On one hand, it removes all the soil and root hairs, causing significant damage to the roots and taking a long time to recover, which is not worth it. Moreover, even if they are there, can they really be eliminated? A few tiny ones that slip through the net can繁殖 a vast empire. This method is not suitable for long-term planting. Similarly, catching them by hand, wiping with alcohol, or brushing with a board is also not advisable for the same reasons. The plants are not in good condition after being treated, and it also doesn't eliminate scale insects completely.
3. When to kill
Scale insects are easy to eliminate in the early stages of reproduction. Once they form a shell, they become difficult to deal with. I think there are two seasons for this: one is in the spring when the weather warms up and the plants start growing, which is now the right time, and the other is at the end of summer and the beginning of autumn when the plants start growing again. But if it's in a greenhouse, I feel there will always be some.
4. How to kill scale insects
Just spray insecticides directly. I don't do root watering, it's too much work and麻烦. Nowadays, insecticides have contact, stomach, and fumigation effects. As long as they need to eat, they will eventually be poisoned. Spray from all angles, inside and out, leaving no死角. A very important point is to repeat this at least twice, with a gap of four to five days, or a week between each time. After two rounds, it's almost done. Those with energy can arrange a third round. Also, every year, whether there are scale insects or not, if there were any in the past, this operation is needed. I followed the plan and checked and killed them the year before last, and there were none. Last year, I was complacent and didn't prevent it, and then it broke out again.
5. What medication to use
Please use正规 pesticides. Pesticides have been proven effective over a long period by the vast laboring people, and the country is strictly monitoring the agricultural market. Fake pesticides are strictly checked, so the ones on sale are reliable. You can buy them from agricultural technology stations. You can buy something like Guoguang's chlorpyrifos, Jiekeqing (it seems to be something like this), etc., which are all effective.
Also, after using the pesticides, please store them properly and keep them out of reach of children, as safety is very important. You can use a spray bottle, fill it with 15L of water, and spray as you like.
The above () introduces the complete content of what to do if succulents get scale insects. Have the green plant enthusiasts understood it?