2 August 2024

Controlling Scale Insect

Q. “Hello, our website directed me to ask this question about releasing lacewings after treating a tree with bug clear ultra. We have a significant infestation of scale insect on our Japanese redbud tree, which and today I sprayed it thoroughly with bug clear ultra. This tends to control the infestation of if I do it once every year or so. Long term I want to use a biological control to keep the scale insect numbers down. I’ve read lacewings can work well with scale. How long would you recommend I leave the insecticide to wear off before trying something like lacewings?” Many thanks, Ste Garlick

A. Thanks for the message and Bugclear Ultra is a systemic insecticide i.e. it is taken up by the plant and then kills anything that eats it, so you do need to wait 8 weeks before using a bio control. We normally use Scale Nematodes to control scale (they are normally resistant to ladybirds and lacewings) and you can use these anytime as they are not affected by insecticides. A combination of a natural spray (we recommend Sb Invigorator) and Scale Nematodes is the best natural solution. Use the SB Invigorator 1st and then if necessary (sometimes the spray is enough and the nematodes aren’t needed) spray with the Scale Nematodes.

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