Hokkaido Elm with Scale bugs, yuk!

redfokker

I was looking at the wonderful corky bark of my Hokkaido Elm Shohin yesterday and realized that those bumps were SCALE! I had a couple of
scale bugs on my other elm a couple of weeks ago and picked them off.
This Elm has a lot of the little buggers on it. I sprayed them with some
over the counter insecticidal soap. Is this enough treatment? Should I
go in with a magnifying glass and tweezers and pick them all off and repspray?
I seem to remember a thread a while back where that was the treatment....

HELP. Thanks

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REDFOKKER
Albany, Oregon Zone 7

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pup

Try a systemic insecticide I am not familiar with what you can buy in USA we have one called ROGOR it is good and strong. I use it for bad cases, other times I use a preventative called CONFIDOR which is also a systemic. I will now sit back and wait for the bric brats I am sure are going to come my way. However it works for me.hope thsi of help Pup

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PUP
Advanced begginner


Heatzone USA9/10
Aus 3/4

Joanie

I picked all the scale bugs off of my Hokkaido, and kept an eye on it for several weeks, picking/squashing each one. It took some time, but it was worth it. I didn't use any treatment other than that, and it has been pest free for weeks now.

So at least pick them off, whether or not you use a systemic as well. It seems like I have heard that elms don't care for systemics, do some searching to find out if this is the case before using anything.

Joanie

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Treebeard

I'd pick them all off. I had a major infestation this year and it took weeks to get them under control. Brushing the trunksa and branches with an old toothbrush works quite well too (colgate optional ).

Regards,

Chris.

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pickinknows

I've used alcohol with no ill effects. Rub it over them and they fall right off. You will need to keep an eye on it b/c you might not be able to see the small ones yet.

rockm

Topical sprays will not afect them. Spraying has to be done to control the "crawler" stage of the insect. That takes extremely precise timing. By the way, soem elms are sensitive to some systemic treatments. You could wind up defoliating your elm using them...

For bonsai, the best, most effective treatment is to pick the scale off by hand. May seem like alot of work, but it's worth it and it really isn't all that much trouble.

Ralph

I tend to use the least toxic method of control and only go to stronger means when they have not been effective. In my hot, dry climate, scale and mites are a constant problem, that is why I treat on a regular basis (every 2 weeks) with a horticultural oil. I like Sunspray particularly. It is 100% parafin oil, non-toxic and kills by suffocating the pests. When initally treating an infestation application every 5 days or so for the 1st 15 days may be necessary to kill new hatchlings.

http://www.berkeleyhort.com/roses/r_oils.html

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-Paul S.

october

Hello Red. Unfortunately, this is one area that I do know alot about. I have been battling scale insects for a few years and they have claimed quit a few of my trees in the past. Now, that I know my enemy though, I have it under control, somewhat.
There are different kinds of scale, oyster shell, soft bodied, juniper scale etc............Scale can be EXTREMELY DIFFICULT, if not almost impossible in some cases to eradicate. Scale cause damage by piercing the leaf or bark with there mouth. As the scale mature, they secrete a fluid. With each secretion, it builds up the shell more and more untill it is almost impenetrable to most pesticides. Not only that, but they lay their young under this protective shell. So even if you scrape them off. The eggs will be left behind. You will not see them either.
I have had good luck with horticultural oil. It smothers them. They cannot move or breath. However, You will have to pick off evey insect you see, then spray. Then inspect and pick off anymore. Then wait a few weeks and spray again. Then possibly once a month to month and a half for the next 3 months. You can use a systemic in substitute for one of the sprayings, but I believe some plants might react negatively. I have not had a problem though, but I was advised by an expert warning against systemics.
I would try the oil first. Also, you may want to test a small area on the plant first. To make sure it is ok. I have neever had a plant that showed any negative reactions towards horticultural oil. I use BONIDE all seasons horticultural oil. I use the maximum amount allowed for the species. Read the directions carefully. Good luck and be patient

redfokker

Thanks for all the great help. I'll sit in front of the TV tonight and pick my bugs off....There are quite a few of them. I don't have any oils, guess I'll have to include them in my arsenal of bonsai drugs. Is NEEM oil the same thing? I've seen it in small bottles (concentrate?) to mix up and spray.

This is one of the pair of Hokkaido Elms I started this year. One is growing
like gang busters and one is kind of punky.... Problem is, the one that is
really healthy is the infested one. Don't want it to be stressed out so bad as we go in to fall. Looking forward to my first bonsai autumn!

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REDFOKKER
Albany, Oregon Zone 7