Scales infestations in plants
Scales suck up sap through their needle-like mouthparts.

Sometimes toxins can be injected into the plant. The young are mobile crawlers, whereas the nymphal and adult female stages are static.

Adult males have tiny wings and are mobile compared to adult females.

In general scale infestations secrete honeydew on which very unsightly sooty mould grows. Serious infestations can cause yellowing of leaves as well as drying out of stems when they are present on woody tissue.

Serious dropping of leaves as well as dieback of twigs, branches and other parts of plants can occur as a result of high infestations of scale. Certain scales, like pernicious scale, actually cause plants to deteriorate very fast.

Scale infestations in dusty, shady, cool areas, as well as in the presence of ants, are less likely to be controlled by their natural enemies.

Removing scale infestations
Of all options available to control scale, physical removal of infested plant parts during the winter months is one of the best measures to use. That is of course where it is possible to remove such parts. Infested areas that cannot be removed could be targeted with a pesticide. Once infestations are under control, natures biological controls will stand a much better chance of keeping populations low.

Scale has many natural enemies including predators like adult ladybirds and their larvae, predatory thrips, lacewings and various parasites. Controlling ants nesting in the surrounding soil of scale-infested plants will contribute to the success of predatory enemies Treat ant nests in soil with Ludwigs Insect Spray + (50 ml per 10 litres water) or Pyrol (150 ml per 10 litres water).

Where possible, avoid the spraying of insecticides during the summer months and early autumn, to safeguard natural enemies. Most canola oil formulations like Margaret Roberts Organic Insecticide or Vegol, applied at the same dosage rate as for aphids, will have no or minimum impact on beneficial predators the size of mature ladybirds and bigger. No secondary poisoning of the scales natural enemies will occur when using organic insecticides with no, or very short, residual activity.
KHAN Reviewed by KHAN on . HELP identifying this pest please Im outdoor grower 2nd year. in ground. Plants are very stunted. Anyway these little black spots have been appearing alot and even on new leaves. Some of them kinda roll off with finger some seem sticky,like tar sorta? Is it eggs? I have been looking at soil and plants see no bugs. I even noticed these spots on other plants in yard?? Pic included . And also what do I spray it with soap? Plants are already struggling sigh... Thanks Rating: 5