Scheflera Plant with Sticky Insect Residue - Ask Extension
Hi!We have a schefflera plant that seems to be suffering from an insect infestation. I've tried spraying and washing it off but the infestation seems ...
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Scheflera Plant with Sticky Insect Residue #544339
Asked February 19, 2019, 11:32 AM EST
Hi!
We have a schefflera plant that seems to be suffering from an insect infestation. I've tried spraying and washing it off but the infestation seems to persist. See photos attached.
Any advice would be very helpful on how we can rid our plant of these pests.
We have a schefflera plant that seems to be suffering from an insect infestation. I've tried spraying and washing it off but the infestation seems to persist. See photos attached.
Any advice would be very helpful on how we can rid our plant of these pests.
Boulder County Colorado
Expert Response
Your Scheflera has scale. Those brown spots you see are the insects that suck the juice that leaves the sticky residue which is called honeydew. It is effectively treated with Neem oil which is nontoxic to people and pets. Use a cloth or a child's toothbrush to remove the brown oval shaped spots, then wipe those areas of the plant's stems and leaves with neem oil and leave it on, do not wash it off.
Kate
Kate
Thank you!
You are so welcome.
Kate
Kate
