One of Japanese acers is under attack by scale insects. The leaves are shrivelling and dropping off. What's the best way to get rid of them?
Oh great idea as I don't like using pesticides much. Will try this tonight. I have picked them off by hand so far. Maybe I'll rub down the branches with bit of garlic too. Thank you very much. Will let you know how it went.
I have been using rubbing alcohol on my avocado with scales, which is what I usually read is recommended, though perhaps only suitable for smaller plants. I need to do this more consistently to get rid of them once and for all!
You may want to consider natural scale control with predators that eat them. I have about 300 of these in my tropical atrium and they have brought the situation under control with no pesticides or chemicals. http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=37387&highlight=scale
What's a good natural control for spider mites? My Japanese maples seem to get spider mites in early spring every year, some worse than others. I've tried insecticidal soap, but it seems to damage the new growth.