What You Need to Know About Scale Insects

January 10th, 2020

Scale insects are tiny bugs that live on the leaves of plants. Most people notice that they have tiny bumps on the leaves of their plants, but do not realize that these are actually insects. Here’s what you need to know about scale insects and how to get rid of them.

Types of Scale Insects

There are actually two different types of scale insects. The first type is armored. These insects have a hard outer shell that protects them. These insects will attach to the leaves when they are ready to lay eggs and remain there for the remainder of their lives. The second type is soft-bodied. These insects do not have the outer shell; however, they do create a sort of shell after they attach to the leaves.

Signs of Scale Insects

There are a few different signs that you might have insects on your plants. The first sign is that these insects secrete honeydew, which can easily be seen and smelled when you have an infestation. The other sign is that when you have a major infestation you will notice slow growth of your plants. Of course, the easiest way to tell if you have these insects is to look for the tiny bumps on the leaves of your plants.

Controlling Scale Insects

You can keep scale insects under control in a number of ways. One way to get rid of them is to use a brush to remove them from the leaves. Once detached, they will not be able to survive. If your plants are outdoors, you can spray them with a heavy stream from a garden hose to rinse away the insects. If you have a major infestation and these measures do not control it, you may need to contact a professional for assistance.