Q. What is the best way to
remove scale and aphids on Bay Laurel?
A. Scale are insects have
soft bodies and can crawl around from place to place when they are young. They are
called “crawlers” at this stage in their life.
soft bodies and can crawl around from place to place when they are young. They are
called “crawlers” at this stage in their life.
Once they find a place to live, they build a house
covering itself called a “scale”. Underneath that scale the soft bodied insect is
protected and sucking plant juices. Until it exits the scale to reproduce.
covering itself called a “scale”. Underneath that scale the soft bodied insect is
protected and sucking plant juices. Until it exits the scale to reproduce.
The scale covering on its outside protects it from predators
as well as contact insecticides. Ants move crawlers to new locations just like
they will aphids. The trick in controlling them is to catch scale insects in
their “crawler” stage, when they are susceptible to just about
anything including soap sprays.
as well as contact insecticides. Ants move crawlers to new locations just like
they will aphids. The trick in controlling them is to catch scale insects in
their “crawler” stage, when they are susceptible to just about
anything including soap sprays.
The most effective sprays are considered spray oils;
horticultural oils, supreme oil, dormant oil, a bunch of different names. Many
of them are petroleum oils derived from paraffin or mineral oil.
horticultural oils, supreme oil, dormant oil, a bunch of different names. Many
of them are petroleum oils derived from paraffin or mineral oil.
It’s a good idea to apply these oils twice during the
winter and again in the spring before or after flowering. There are sticky traps
available that catch crawlers to identify when to spray. If traps are not used,
repeat applications of spray oils during winter and spring is very effective.
winter and again in the spring before or after flowering. There are sticky traps
available that catch crawlers to identify when to spray. If traps are not used,
repeat applications of spray oils during winter and spring is very effective.