Question
Hi, Will,

Thank you for the answer before.
I tried to spray the fluid I can buy in Canadian Tire for treating scale problem.
Also I tried to scrub the bug out by using hand with glaves, mop etc.  There is still some that can be seen.  
It has been two weeks.  How long can it be cured?
what should be scale be looking like when the problem is solved.  After the spraying, I don't see any difference actually.  The most effective way I saw so far, is my using glaves, mops to scrub them away.  I also took some of the leaves off if there were too many of scales.

I tried using rubbing alchahol, with soap, wanter as well.  Not much effect.

Any advice?
Thanks for your help!

LI


>Will Creed Answers -
>Hi li li,
>
>Sticky stuff on leaves and on floors below a plant is almost always a
>sign of a scale infestation.
>
>Scale can be hard to detect. When they are young these sucking insects
>are slightly oval, slightly raised, translucent bumps about an eighth
>of an inch long. They can be found along stems and on the undersides of
>leaves. They don't look like bugs and don't appear to move. As they get
>older, they develop a hard, dark brown shell and look like a small
>mole. As the infestation increases, these sucking insects will secrete
>a sticky substance called honeydew that falls onto leaves, furniture
>and floors. This stickiness is the most obvious sign of scale and the
>one that most people notice first.
>
>The key to eliminating scale is to treat even the ones that you cannot
>see. That means thoroughly drenching all leaf and stem surfaces until
>they are dripping wet. It is also best if you repeat this treatment all
>over again in 5 to 7 days to catch any crawlers (the translucent young
>ones) that you missed the first time. After that, you should check your
>plant weekly to see if they return.
>
>Soap sprays are not as effective as some other treatments because soap
>doesn't always penetrate the hard outer shell of the scale.
>
>I do not recommend any pesticides because they are all hazardous to use
>and not 100% effective against scale. The best non-toxic treatment for
>mealybug and scale is called Brand X Foliage Cleaner. It is available
>through Southwest Plantscape Products in California
>(www.southwestplantscape.com). Their phone is 1-800-333-7977.It is a
>silicon-based product so it is very slippery. Its ability to penetrate
>is probably the key to its effectiveness because it gets into the tiny
>crevices that other sprays miss.
>
>You may want to try spraying with rubbing alcohol that will help break
>through the hard outer barrier of the scale and kill it. Mix 1 part
>alcohol with 8 to 10 parts of water. Add a little liquid soap to help
>it spread.
>
>Sun Spray Ultra Fine horticultural oil is also mixed with water and
>effectively smothers the scale. Complete coverage is important.
>
>Another good non-toxic spray is Hot Pepper Wax. Its main ingredient is
>hot cayenne pepper that overheats the plant pests. There is an
>information website for it at www.hotpepperwax.com.
>
>Finally neem oil works similarly to horticultural oil. It should be
>diluted with water and Pine Sol to couneract the onion-like odor. All
>of these are available nationwide at plant and garden centers and also
>by mail order.
>
>Important: None of these should be applied to plants in direct sun or
>in high temps
>
>Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any
>additional questions.


Answer
Hi Li,

Please read my first reply carefully. The key to success with scale is thoroughness of coverage. You must get complete coverage of ALL leaf and stem surfaces. Alcohol ans soap is effective but only if you get complete coverage.

After spraying, wiping with a soft cloth should remove the remains of the dead scale and none should be visible after that. If you see some, that is probably because you missed them when you wiped. If you are thorough, the cure will be immediately on contact.

Use mild soap and water to remove any stickines on floors or furnishings under the plant. After the scale insects have been removed, there should be no further stickiness.

I have no idea what "fluid from Canadian tire" is, so I cannot say whether it is effective in treating scale.

Will Creed