What do you spray cottony cushion scale with?
Light horticultural oil, also called superior horticultural spray oil, is also effective. This oil is lighter and less viscous than traditional dormant oil, and so less toxic to plants. Use a 2-3 percent solution. Spray directly on the scale insects, as it works by suffocating them.
How long does it take for a cottony cushion scale to complete its life cycle from egg hatch to adult?
Cottony cushion scale has two to three generations a year. Unlike most other scales, it retains its legs and its mobility throughout its life. Cottony cushion scale completes its life cycle in three months during warm weather conditions.
How often do I spray for scale?
For effective control, you may need to apply pesticides two to four times at 5- to 7- day intervals, because most pesticides work for less than a week, but crawlers from a single generation can hatch over several weeks.
How do you treat a scale infestation?
To get rid of scale insects prune and dispose of infested branches, twigs and leaves. When scale numbers are low they may be rubbed or picked off of plants by hand. Dabbing individual pests with an alcohol-soaked cotton swab or neem-based leaf shine will also work when infestations are light.
How do you treat white scale on Pittosporum?
As far as controlling the scale, it may take several applications of PestOil Insecticide to get this pest population under control. It is always easier to control scale in its juvenile stage when the young are crawling. The most effective time to spray is from January to April.
Is neem oil the same as horticultural oil?
These oils are petroleum-based and refined so they don’t damage plants if applied correctly. One major difference between neem oil and horticultural oil is the toxicity of neem oil toward some insects. Horticultural oil is not toxic on its own. It relies on suffocating insects for control.
When to apply insecticide to cottony cushion trees?
Insecticide applications for cottony cushion scale should be applied during June through July, after the vedalia beetle has completed its biological control efforts (March–June) and when the population consists primarily of first-instar scales on the leaves of the trees.
Why was the cottony cushion scale a pest?
The scale secretes honeydew, which promotes the growth of sooty mold. The cottony cushion scale was a major pest of citrus in the 1880s.
What can I use to control cottony cushion scale?
If you find an infestation, also look for vedalia beetle stages (red eggs or larvae of the vedalia beetle) on the white egg sac of the adult scales or vedalia pupal cases attached to leaves. The vedalia beetle is the best method of controlling cottony cushion scale.
What kind of beetle is best for cottony cushion scale?
The vedalia, a small, reddish-orange, spotted lady beetle, is highly effective in controlling cottony cushion scale, but vedalias are more susceptible to pesticides than are scales. Vedalias also are active only at warm temperatures so that the scales can outstrip the vedalias in spring and fall.