Scale
Scale insects look like small round discs that attach themselves
to the stems and leaves and suck the juices out of a plant, causing the
plant to wilt or, in rare cases, die. When young, the scale insects can
move around and can be spread to healthy plants by simple contact with an
infected plant. Scale insects also produce a secretion called honeydew,
which attracts ants. If the population of the scale is large, this secretion
may drop onto lower leaves. If this happens, a black sooty mold forms. The
sooty mold only affects the appearance of the plant.
It is best to check with our Garden Center experts for help with scale problems. Treatment differs according to the type of plant, the type of scale, and where it occurs during the season.
For further information, read online our care sheet on "Insecticide Basics", and "Chemical Basics".
Revised: 03/10/98
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