How to Get Rid of Scale Insects on Indoor Plants: Scale Insects on Houseplants Treatment

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Scale Insects Identification

Scale Insects or simply scales are small, brown discs attached to the underside of leaves and on the stem from where they suck the plant sap. They are covered with an outer waxy shell which protect them from chemical penetration. Scales are more common in dry, poorly-aerated growing conditions.

A heavy infestation by Scale Insects can cause stunted growth, wilting, yellowing of the leaves and leaf loss. Scales produce a sticky honeydew which attracts ants and is a fertile ground for sooty mold. The sooty mold reduces plant growth and vigour by blocking the pores and shading the leaf surface area for light absorption.

How to Treat Scale Insects on Houseplants

1. Isolate the affected plant to minimize spread to the rest of the houseplants.


2. Remove heavily infested parts of the plant and destroy to prevent further spread.


3. For a light Scale Insects infestation, wipe them off with a cotton bud dabbed with a solution of 4 parts water and 1 part rubbing alcohol. Follow with a thorough spraying of the entire plant with the solution. The alcohol dissolves their protective coating and kills them on contact.


4. You can also treat the affected plant with an insecticidal soap or a neem oil both of which are safe for indoor use. Ensure to cover the entire plant and to follow the manufacturers directions on the label.


5. For a severe Scale Insects infestation, apply a systemic insecticide to the soil as per the manufacturer's recommendations. The plant will absorb the chemical into its system; when the Scale Insects suck the sap, they ingest the poison and die.

How to Keep Scale Insects Away from Houseplants

1. Keep your plants healthy at all times as healthy plants are less likely to be damaged by Scale Insects; ensure proper watering, feeding and lighting.


2. Get your plants from reliable sources to avoid introducing these pests to your plant collection.


3. Thoroughly inspect new plants before bringing them indoors and isolate any infested plants until they are pests free.


4. Regularly check the plants for these sap-sucking insects and take timely control measures.


5. Maintain the plants well-pruned to remove the breeding and hiding grounds for these pests.


6. Keep the growing area clean by removing fallen leaves or other plant debris as they can harbor the Scale Insects and/or their eggs.


7. On a regular basis, clean the leaves to deter the pests.


8. Upscale humidity and improve ventilation to minimize Scale Insects infestation as they thrive in dry, stuffy conditions.

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