Scale insects - insect pests cause great harm to domestic plants. They are reliably protected by the shell, able to quickly adapt to various types of poisons. As soon as they appear on the flowers, they should be destroyed immediately. There are a large number of species of this house plant pest, insects differ in color and size. But everyone has a common sign - their body is covered with a wax shield. There is also a false shield, which also causes great damage to green spaces. There are various ways to kill parasites. How to deal with scale insects on indoor plants is a matter of interest to many gardeners and home plant lovers.
What look like shields
Female scale insects parasitizing on plants have external similarities:
- they have no antennae, eyes, wings and legs;
- the sucking and stitching organs of the mouth are well developed;
- the young female has a soft shield allowing her to move;
- in an adult female, the shield hardens, and it is already stationary;
- the shape of the scutellum is oval or round, the length of the body varies from 1.5 to 2 mm, in some species it can reach 5 mm;
- under the shell, the female's color is light brown or white;
- in mature individuals, the body can be covered with a shield partially or completely;
- in the process of maturation of the larvae, the color of the female changes, it becomes heterogeneously colored - in the center there may be dark brown shades, and the outer ring is painted in golden brown tones.
Females of the insect family Koktsid is the only group capable of leading an immobile lifestyle and continuously feeding during the evolutionary process.
The pest of the scabbard - the male has such signs:
- they have no oral organs;
- at the location of the eyes, formed wings and legs are located;
- the body is divided into segments - clearly visible: the abdomen, chest and head.
- males are equipped with a large shield;
- body color - red, light orange or reddish gray.
Scabby eggs are very small (0.1-0.3 mm) in an oval shape, their color is usually white or light gray. At the end of time, they acquire a brown tint. When viewed under a microscope, they resemble worms. Photos of scale insects on indoor plants will help to examine the pest in detail.
Interesting!
If the larva is painted white, it will turn into a female. Red color means that later it will be a male.
What is dangerous for plants
If a scab has appeared on plants, it can cause significant harm to representatives of the flora. Notice it is not difficult. The leaf of the plant is covered with rounded brown or light scales. It is extremely difficult to tear them off. False shields also appear on plants. Unlike a real scale insect, they do not have a wax shell, the larvae and eggs are protected by dried skin, which disappears when the female dies.
Scale and false shields are very harmful insects. 3-4 years are enough for them to completely destroy fruit trees in the garden.Their danger is not exaggerated, as evidenced by the measures taken by the leaders of agricultural regions. When they are found on cultivated plants, quarantine is declared.
Important!
The presence of scabies on a domestic plant leads to the appearance of a fungus that rapidly infects stems, leaves, and root. Insects suck the juice from the plants, as a result, the leaves become covered with yellow spots, curl, dry and fall off. If you do not remove insects in a timely manner, midges will eat juice until the plant dies. In addition to controlling these pests on indoor plants, fight with shields on garden trees, currant, grapes, coniferous plants.
How insects appear in the house
Scabbers on indoor flowers may appear along with planting material that was already infected in the store. Insects get into an apartment or house with the help of the wind, which brought random "tramps". The reasons for the appearance of scale insects are also associated with improper care of domestic plants.
Important!
The pest does not settle on healthy plants. This is due to the fact that representatives of the flora develop protection that is able to scare off insects.
Parasites regale themselves on plants in which metabolic disorders are observed due to oversaturation with nitrogen or weakening of the flower. The best time of the year for this is winter. During this period, plants receive an insufficient amount of light. Batteries also have a bad effect on them, as dry air forms in the room. As a result, the structure of the juice changes, excellent conditions are created for the appearance of scale insects. Pests can be brought into the house along with a new flower or cut plants. As soon as they are seen, you should immediately get rid of the scab on indoor flowers.
How to get rid of pests
There are various methods of dealing with scale insects. Before using any of them, you must follow the clear rules:
- First you need to find a pest distribution center on the plant. Usually this is a flower on which there is a large accumulation of scale insects.
- The found source of distribution must be attributed to a room without plants.
- Thoroughly treat the place where the infected flower was located with a soap solution and insecticides.
- Scabs are removed from the patient’s plants manually using a cotton swab previously moistened with a chemical designed to kill harmful insects (insecticide). It is not recommended to use alcohol or kerosene for these purposes, as they can leave burns on the leaves.
- Scabies that can move can hide, so the leaves of the plant should be washed using a soap solution or tobacco infusion. The treatment is carried out carefully, a toothbrush will help in this, which is dipped into the prepared means of the scab. The plant is left for a day, after which the solution is washed off.
- To get rid of midges in indoor colors, the procedure must be repeated. To do this, the leaves, flower stems and soil are treated with chemicals. After two days, the insects must die. If this does not happen, you must repeat the procedure until they disappear completely, and then rinse off the insecticides.
To remove the guards, you can use a knife and a spray bottle with soapy water and an insecticide.
Feedback
Since I am very sensitive to my green friends, I check them very carefully during watering. Once on her new orchid she discovered strange insects. I found out that these are scale insects, took advice how to deal with scale insects on orchidsthat I found on the Internet. Processed leaves and stalks with soapy water. I did the procedure for a week. The pests died.
Elena, Saratov
Pest control chemicals
If domestic plants are severely affected, removing the scale is not so easy. In this case, it is recommended to use chemicals. According to consumers, the following are considered the most popular. remedies for midges:
- Actara. A powerful effective drug that can destroy the scale at home. To do this, use a solution of the agent (dilute 1 g of the substance in 1.25 liters of water) and spray the plants, and also pour it into the soil. The procedure is carried out at least two times with an interval of 10-12 days. Rinse Aktara after the procedure is not necessary.
- Fitoferm. The fight against scabies with the help of this tool is also effective. Experts recommend using this drug in the first place. For use, dilute 2 ml of the agent in two liters of water and spray the infected plants with the resulting solution. Processing should be done several times in 5-8 days. Basically, 3-4 procedures are enough, after which the scale dies. Since the insecticide is of biological origin, processing with it is practically not dangerous for humans and pets living in the house. To support the plant after the last procedure, it is recommended to treat it with Epin, a biological growth stimulator that boosts the plant’s immune system.
- Confidor. To obtain a solution in 0.5 l of water, you need to dissolve 1 gram of the substance, and then spray the soil and the plant. Insects die in 3-4 hours. It is also recommended to water the soil with a solution diluted in half with water.
- Mospilan. This poison from the scabies can penetrate deep into the tissue of the plant, causing paralysis not only of adult insects, but also the death of eggs and larvae. For humans, it is slightly toxic.
Insecticides are poisonous substances, so it is advisable to follow safety precautions. Using chemicals from scabs, it is recommended to wear rubber gloves, a respirator, and glasses. If a person lives in the house, it is better to take the plants outside, and those who live in apartments - on the balcony.
Feedback
I, on the recommendation of my friend, purchased the drug Fitoferm. Processed with it indoor plants. Most decorative lemon was infected. The effect is really good. Get rid of scallops on a lemon and other plants succeeded.
Galina, Krasnoyarsk
Folk remedies
You can fight at home with the help of folk remedies. To do this, use a variety of infusions:
- Garlic. Pour crushed cloves of garlic (5 pcs.) With one liter of warm water, insist the resulting solution for 24 hours. Spray the plant and soil.
- Spicy pepper. Finely chop 50 grams of hot pepper, pour 0.5 liter of boiling water over it and boil for 5 minutes. After the solution has cooled, the affected plants are sprayed with it.
- Bow. Finely chopped onion is poured with warm water and insisted for several hours. The resulting solution must be wiped leaflets.
Folk remedies help well if the plants are not very affected by the scale. Otherwise, resort to other methods using chemical agents.
Feedback
Since I live in a private house, I chose this method to destroy the scale shield. I grow hot peppers annually. I prepared the solution and carried out the procedure. Repeated it after 3 days. My flowers are healthy again.
Maria, Lipetsk
Prevention
In order for home plants to always be healthy, preventive measures must be taken. It is recommended to wash the leaves with soapy water once a month. Newly purchased flowers should be placed in a separate “quarantine” facility. If nothing appears on them in a week, you can put them in any place, in the company of other domestic plants. If garlic is added to the soap solution, it will turn out to be a very effective remedy, with the help of which the topsoil and the plant are sprayed.Using such simple methods, the treatment of indoor plants will never be needed.