Hi, I need help in eradicating scale. I have a California pepper tree bonzai and I had a ficus bonzai. They were outside all summer and did great. However, they picked up scale. After numerous dips in Safer's soap and trying to manually remove the scale, the ficus' unfortunately' still died. I want to save the Pepper tree. How can I get rid of these things? I really don't like to use harsh pesticides. Is there an alternative natural treatment? Angela
They are tough. Rubbing alcohol can penetrate their shells, but caution is required of course - lightly wipe focusing on the bugs or use a light or dilute spray. Horticultural oil also smothers the buggers. With these and insecticidal soaps, dilligence is the key. For scale sometimes a combo is best. Use the light alcohol spray and then treat with insecticidal soap. Picking or scraping them off is the most effective natural method of course.
