Vitax Plant Guard Pest & Disease Control, Bug Clear Fruit and Veg) can give good control of scale insect nymphs. Bug Clear Ultra 2, Neudorff Bug Free Bug and Larvae Killer) or plant oils (e.g. Organic sprays, such as natural pyrethrum (e.g.The best time for summer spraying is in July when the more vulnerable newly hatched scale nymphs are present.

If chemical controls are used, they should be used only in a minimal and highly targeted manner. The RHS believes that avoiding pests, diseases and weeds by good practice in cultivation methods, cultivar selection, garden hygiene and encouraging or introducing natural enemies, should be the first line of control.

Encourage predators in the garden, some ladybirds, parasitoid wasps and some birds will eat scale insects.

Adult scales and egg masses can be removed when seen but this may not reduce large populations.

Heavily infested plants can be removed and replacements planted in the autumn.

Well-tended healthy plants are able to tolerate light populations of these insects and so they do not necessarily require control

Where possible tolerate populations of scale insects.

Within this group the shorter persistence pesticides (that are usually certified for organic growing) are likely to be less damaging to non-target wildlife than those with longer persistence and/or systemic action. If this is not sufficient to reduce the damage to acceptable levels then you may choose to use pesticides. When choosing control options you can minimise harm to non-target animals by starting with the methods in the non-pesticide control section.

Malvern Autumn Show - 22–24 September 2023Ĭheck susceptible plants frequently from spring onwards so action can be taken before a damaging population has developed.

RHS Garden Wisley Flower Show - 5–10 September 2023.

RHS Garden Rosemoor Flower Show - 18–20 August 2023.

RHS Garden Hyde Hall Flower Show - 2–6 August 2023.

RHS Flower Show Tatton Park - 19–23 July 2023.

RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival - 4–9 July 2023.

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