Scale insects can cause massive damage to ivy through their sucking activity. Since the animals are well protected by their shield, fighting them is not always easy. But with the right means and a little patience, you can quickly get rid of the uninvited ivy guests.
Is ivy prone to scale insect infestation?
These little animalsarealong with aphidsamong the most common pests found on ivy.
Ivy does have effective protective mechanisms to defend itself against lice. However, due to their sucking activity, the harmful insects can weaken the plant so much over time that it dies.
How do you recognize scale insects on ivy?
You can recognize scale insects by theapproximately 2 millimeter-large, yellow-orange dots,, which are usuallyon the underside of the leaves. Since these are the flat shields of the females, they can be removed with a needle. Reddish, mottled patterns form on the upper side of the leaves.
Outdoor ivy is almost always infested by the species Aspidiotus hedericola, which lacks the typical sticky lice excretions. With room ivy, however, you can often discover shiny traces of honeydew.
How can scale insects on ivy be controlled?
Oil-containing preparations workdespite the animals' protective shieldvery good. The oil forms a thin film around the scale insects and clogs them respiratory tract and kills the pest insects.
You can make an effective remedy yourself from the following ingredients:
- 400 milliliters of water,
- 100 milliliters of rapeseed oil,
- a few drops of dishwashing liquid.
Mix everything together well and pour into a spray bottle. Wet the leaves thoroughly and repeat the treatment after about ten days.
Are there any other remedies that help against scale insects on ivy?
AlsoA soft soap and spirit solution,, which you can use to wipe off the affected leaves, is very effective:
- Plane 30 grams of soft soap into a bowl.
- Pour one liter of hot water and stir until the soap has dissolved.
- After cooling, add 10 milliliters of spirit.
Alternatively, you can use special preparations (€28.00 on Amazon) from specialist retailers according to the package instructions.
How do I fight scale insects on ivy in the garden?
In the open field,combating beneficial insects is very effective. Parasitic wasps, ladybirds and earwigs easily keep the pests at bay. You can therefore provide a suitable home for your crawling helpers by hanging an insect hotel in the ivy, for example.
How can I prevent scale insect infestation on ivy?
Good care is the best prevention against scale insect infestation. Often the pests on the ivy only multiply so abundantly because the plant is already weakened. In a sunny but bright location with sufficient humidity and an optimal supply of nutrients, the ivy plants are also well protected against scale insects.
Tip
Check houseplants regularly for pests
When watering, check all green residents thoroughly for infestation with harmful insects or fungi. You should immediately isolate affected plants and treat them consistently with a suitable home remedy. This will prevent pests or fungal spores from spreading unintentionally and damaging other plants.
