How do I remove scale insects from my orchids?

Answer by  Zorfandel (398)

First of all if these are inside house orchids in a non tropical climate be sure that they are not infected with aphids. A simple water soap and mouthwash solution can take care of this problem.

Answer by  Jakecutter (1819)

You want to pick them off very carefully and then clean the bush or plant with a hot soapy water concoction. These scaly insects need to be removes by hand to make sure they are entirely pulled from the bush. Don't spray them, sometimes the spray won't kill them but kill the plants.

Answer by  eiryck (847)

In removing scale insects, you could scrap them using a thin thread to avoid injury to the orchid plant. On the other hand, you can spray it with a solution containing an insecticde. After which, prophylactic measures could be considered to avoid another attack of scale insects.

Answer by  kd97 (733)

Simply swab the plants with a q-tip lightly coated with isopropyl alcohol. [rubbing alchol from the pharmacy will work fine]-- careful not to damage the flower by using too much force while cleaning.

Answer by  eiryck (847)

There are various ways in getting rid of scale insects from orchids. This would range from using prophylactic methods like insecticides or just through simple poking of these scales and swabbing it with soup solution. Just be careful of not harming the orchids in the process.

Answer by  TylerMoore (146)

Call a bug man or just go to the store and get some and kill them on your own thats what i would do, because they can eat your plants and or flowers and kill them so i would act asap on your insect problem before it is too late.

Answer by  sharon63 (520)

Make up a solution of 2 Tbls. dish soap to one gallon of warm water. Gently spray the solution on the orchid leaves to kill the scale insects and wipe off with a clean cloth.

Answer by  nicholas34 (606)

I would suggest you put aphids on the orchids, this will eat the scale insects and keep them protected all the time.

Answer by  worker1889 (49)

poke them one by one with a sharp tool. once you think they are all dead and some liquid come out of their shell, scrape them off the leaves and burn the. to make sure they wont tribe on your orchids again.