The COMPLETE Guide to Getting Rid of Scale Insects

If you've been dealing with scale insects on your indoor or outdoor plants, check out our deep dive on what scale pests are, the different types, and how to control infestations and prevent future ones. Chris from Fluent Garden drops some pest prevention knowledge!

00:00 - Intro
00:54 - Damage & Symptoms
01:11 - Sooty Mold
01:40 - Scale Wax
01:57 - Scale Size & Covering
02:35 - Soft Scale & Armoured Scale
03:04 - Soft Scale
03:40 - Armoured Scale
04:31 - Lifecycle
05:55 - Treatments
07:35 - Chemical Control Application
08:02 - Biological Control
08:29 - Prevention
09:55 - Outro

IN THIS VIDEO

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[HalfNoodley]

Chris really knows how to pack the information into these videos. I went from not really knowing about scale to a bona fide expert in minutes.

[TimberCreates]

I worked at my university’s greenhouse until my recent graduation and we had an outbreak of armoured scale while I had been gone on winter break. I was responsible for the massive cleaning operation. We used black soap and I gave most plants multiple baths for about a week which helped. I was persistent.

[daveg.]

I had cushion scale bugs on a lime tree. I used 50/50 white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Worked great!

[davidb]

This video is excellent. So much information and presented in a way that's easy to understand. Thanks Kevin and Chris.

[lewis]

Im rarely stunned by a video but this woman was truly impressive. VERY informative, i hope i can now save my infested citrus plant as its had scale bugs for months and one half of the plant has died

[alexandriakarter]

New gardener here. Thanks to all of you for the help. Starting a new garden, I have found there are many issues coming up that I am scrambling to figure out. I really like these types of videos to teach what to look for And resolutions!! Thanks so much!!!

[HYEpower]

I got rid of 99% scale on my mom's dead lemon trees, I used diatomaceous earth and threw clouds on them and kept the dust on them and the scale all died and fell off. More dust and the nymphs will die.. her plants went from no life scale coving it to massive clusters of flowers and lemons growing.. I used brand red lake, that has calcium in it too.

[storey]

Can’t wait for the whole pest series! I’ve kept houseplants for a few years now but this is my first year with an outdoor veggie garden so I will take all the knowledge I can get!

[kariebrouillard]

I love all the information Chris gives me. She is a great addition to Epic Garden.

[PTmtz]

Thanks for this!! My papayas were super infested from this, now we know how to start dealing with them...

[rhkean]

Wow! Perfect timing! I just found this on one of my tomato plants this morning and had no idea what it was. Thank you!!!!

[joycemiller]

I'd never had it before but my indoor lemon tree got it and I had no clue until the sticky goo on the leaves. I just spent a couple hours yesterday with warm soapy water in a tub, and a washcloth and wiped them off. I left it out since is not too cold and will check it every day or two for sneaky ones. Interesting bugs. I also have some neem oil spray but might not use it.

[karminipillay]

One of the most informative plant and pest videos on the net! Thank you. Keep it coming.

[friendo]

Love the cameo from Chris. Great channel, great episode. Keep it up!

[Arcticdi]

Great info but more importantly WELL PRESENTED! I'd like to see more from Chris!

[pahoua]

I just literally got it on my plant. I didn't know what was wrong with my plant. I looked for pest and didn't see anything but the scales. At the time I didn't know what it was or that it was alive. I was lucky to notice one moving. I sprayed my plants very well for 2 days. Hope my plant recovers.

[nancychavez]

Wow! That was great information. I’ve had armored scale for a LONG time not even knowing. My dieffenbachia looked healthy and I thought the scale was a part of it since I’m a new plant lover and the infestation wasn’t bad. Thank you for putting this out! Looking forward to watching more of your videos. ❤🪴

[stevegow]

Always such an amazing source of detailed information. Thank you!

[AnneTrent]

Thank you Chris!! You just saved my plants!

[cherishireland]

Thanks so much. I'm often fighting with fruit flies but now I know what to look for, for other pests.