The formerly gorgeous green and lush leaves of your houseplants are yellowing, stunted, or even becoming deformed. Brown pockmarks appear in lines and groupings on your plant’s foliage, and you notice leaf drop. Oh no! What could be happening?
The symptoms described above could mean that your plant has “scale”. While the term sounds like a disease, it is actually an infestation of tiny insects that adhere to the stems, branches, or leaves of your houseplant, where they live on the nutrient-rich sap found there. The name for these tiny pests (Scientists have identified more than 7,000 species of Scale) comes from their tendency to form a waxy or shell-like exoskeleton that protects the insect body.
Scale varies in color, shape, and size, depending on the insect, but is most often small, brown, round or oval, shell-like bumps running in groups along the stems and leaves of your plant. The rounded mounds, or domes, are hardy, tiny insects. Hundreds of eggs are laid beneath the female’s scale. In large infestations, live young are produced under the scale. Scale almost always appears in groups or clusters because the fecund females lay so many eggs, which survive prolifically. When the eggs hatch, the baby insects, called “crawlers”, move along the plant, find a protected place to lodge, and begin to form a shell. The life cycle of a Scale can be up to ten weeks, so these tiny pests have great potential to wreak havoc on your houseplants.
There are two types of Scale: armored or hard scales; and unarmored or soft scales. A protective waxy substance covers soft scale insects. Their more penetrable exterior makes them somewhat easier to eliminate with the use of pesticides. Hard Scale is difficult to eradicate because the animal’s tough shell protects it from insecticidal soap, horticultural oil, or other sprays.
Scales can be a annoying pest for any plant parent. These tiny, sap-sucking insects attach themselves to leaves and stems and gradually weaken the plant by extracting vital nutrients. Baby sage plants are especially vulnerable to scale infestations If left untreated, scales can stunt growth, cause leaf yellowing and drop, and even kill your young sage plant
The key to getting rid of scales on your baby sage is taking prompt action at the first signs of infestation. In this comprehensive guide we’ll cover how to identify scales effective treatment methods using natural solutions and insecticides, and prevention tips to keep your sage scale-free.
Recognizing Scale Insect Infestations
Familiarizing yourself with how scales look and behave will help you catch an infestation in its early stages Here’s what to look out for
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Small, round or oval bumps attached to leaves and stems. They may resemble warty growths.
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Waxy, cottony or hard shell-like coverings over the bumps. Colors range from brown, black or white depending on species.
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Sticky honeydew secretion and development of black sooty mold. This is a major red flag for scale presence.
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Leaf yellowing, stunted growth, and plant decline despite proper care.
Inspect both sides of leaves as well as stems and branches where scales like to hide. Be diligent in monitoring for signs of scale presence.
Safe, Natural Remedies to Eliminate Scales
For mild infestations caught early, try these organic and non-toxic treatment methods first:
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Manual removal – Using a soft brush or cotton swab dipped in alcohol, gently scrub off visible scales. Check regularly to remove any remaining scales.
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Neem oil – This natural insecticide disrupts scales’ life cycle. Dilute and spray on plant, coating all surfaces.
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Horticultural oils – These oils smother scales by coating and suffocating them. Follow instructions and apply during mild weather.
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Insecticidal soap – Potassium salts in the soap dehydrate and kill juvenile scales. Spray on infested areas avoiding hot sun.
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Beneficial insects – Ladybugs, lacewings and parasitic wasps feed on scales. Attract these predators into your garden areas.
Monitor closely and reapply treatments weekly as needed until scales are gone. Be patient as it can take time to fully eliminate them.
When to Use Chemical Pesticides
For severe infestations, you may need to use chemical pesticides alongside natural methods. Here are two options:
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Systemic insecticides – Absorbed by plants and circulated through tissues to kill scales from inside out. Use carefully and as a last resort.
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Horticultural oils – Some heavier grade oils also have insecticidal properties to eliminate scales. Test first and follow label cautions.
With both, correctly follow all package label instructions for mixing solutions and safe application. Only spray your baby sage early morning or at dusk to avoid leaf burn. And be sure to take safety precautions for yourself and beneficial insects.
Prevent Scales from Returning
To avoid repeating a scale nightmare, implement these prevention measures:
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Immediately isolate and treat any new plants that show signs of scales before introducing to your sage.
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Promote vigor through proper sunlight, water, fertilization and pruning. Healthy plants resist pests.
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Monitor frequently and treat early before infestation spreads. Being vigilant is key!
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Keep garden areas and tools clean. Remove plant debris and disinfect tools after use on infested plants.
By identifying scales early and taking prompt control measures, you can protect your baby sage plant. Be persistent and don’t allow scales to get a strong foothold. With some effort using natural and safe solutions, you can enjoy a vibrant scale-free sage plant thriving in your garden.
How do I know if my plant has Scale?
Beyond the presence of bumpy, round, and colored groupings on plant parts, you might also notice a sticky substance and a sooty, black mold that spreads on the underside of leaves. This is because scale insects produce a sugary honeydew when feeding on the plants. The honeydew attracts fungal organisms that excrete sooty mold, one of the most visible indicators of Scale.
Photo by Dan Gill/LSU AgCenter
The COMPLETE Guide to Getting Rid of Scale Insects
FAQ
How do you treat fern scales?
How do you permanently get rid of scale on plants?
How do you get rid of scales on birds nest ferns?
What are the scale bugs on ferns?
How do you get rid of cycad scales on sago palms?
Another effective cycad scale treatment is the use of neem pesticide oil. Spray your Sago Palm leaves, top and bottom, and all parts of the plant with the neem oil. Mix water and neem that contains azadirachtin, which slowly kills scales and leaves a protective coat on the Sago Palm. Neem can also be used as a drench.
How do you get rid of scale on plants?
The alcohol solution helps to breakdown the bug’s protective waxy layer, causing them to dehydrate and die. To get rid of scale on plants, mix two teaspoons of organic neem oil and a teaspoon of Castile soap with a 1 quart (1 l) of lukewarm water.
How do you control scale in a garden?
The most effective tool for controlling scale is prevention. Healthy plants are more resistant to pests and diseases. Keep plants well watered during summer to prevent stress from heat and drought. Plant tree and shrub varieties that are less susceptible to garden pests.
How do I protect my houseplants from scale?
Here’s how to protect your houseplants: Carefully inspect plants before buying. Since scale can occur on any part of a plant, check out leaves, branches and stems thoroughly. Keep new houseplants away from other plants for 2 to 3 weeks, which should be enough time to detect the presence of scale.