Scale on a Meyer Lemon - Ask Extension
I have a Meyer Lemon tree which is about 3 feet tall. I put it outside in the summer and it does wonderfully. However, when I bring it inside ...
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Scale on a Meyer Lemon #298526
Asked January 28, 2016, 10:21 AM EST
I have a Meyer Lemon tree which is about 3 feet tall. I put it outside in the summer and it does wonderfully. However, when I bring it inside in the fall it immediately is attacked by some kind of scale. The scale seems to allow leaching of a sugary substance and the lemons all fall off.
What can be done to get rid of the scale?
What can be done to get rid of the scale?
Larimer County Colorado
Expert Response
Hello,
This is really tricky because I assume you want to eat the lemons that are produced. Since it's an edible crop, there are few insecticides you can use. One thing is to dip cotton balls in rubbing alcohol and touch them to each scale. It causes the scale to dry out...this process will need to be repeated, at least two or three (or more) times. You can also try to pick off the scale with your fingernail or a abrasive pad. Scale can be very persistent. If they are armored scale, it will be even more difficult.
You could consider a horticultural oil, which would be sprayed once the eggs hatch and the crawlers are moving. This would be sometime in spring. It proves tricky since the plant is indoors--you'd have to find an area to spray the tree with the oil. The oil must be labeled for edible crops.
The final option would be to use a systemic product (a soil drench)....BUT it must be labeled for use on edible crops and for use on indoor plants.
Unfortunately, scale is one of the most difficult insects to control. Here is some more information from Iowa State University: http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/iiin/housepla.html
This is really tricky because I assume you want to eat the lemons that are produced. Since it's an edible crop, there are few insecticides you can use. One thing is to dip cotton balls in rubbing alcohol and touch them to each scale. It causes the scale to dry out...this process will need to be repeated, at least two or three (or more) times. You can also try to pick off the scale with your fingernail or a abrasive pad. Scale can be very persistent. If they are armored scale, it will be even more difficult.
You could consider a horticultural oil, which would be sprayed once the eggs hatch and the crawlers are moving. This would be sometime in spring. It proves tricky since the plant is indoors--you'd have to find an area to spray the tree with the oil. The oil must be labeled for edible crops.
The final option would be to use a systemic product (a soil drench)....BUT it must be labeled for use on edible crops and for use on indoor plants.
Unfortunately, scale is one of the most difficult insects to control. Here is some more information from Iowa State University: http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/iiin/housepla.html
