Are scale insects harmful to humans?

With the development of succulents in recent years, some succulent enthusiasts have planted a lot of succulents at home or in the office. In fact, it is very easy for some insects to grow on succulents, which are invisible to the naked eye. These insects are called scale insects. There are many types of scale insects, and they not only grow on succulents, but also on some grapefruit trees and orange trees. So, do scale insects pose any harm to the human body?

Scale insects

Scale insects are commonly found on succulents. They are white all over and the adult insects are about 3 mm in size. There is wax on the insects' bodies, so ordinary medicines cannot penetrate and kill them. This is what is most annoying for flower lovers. Moreover, scale insects reproduce very quickly. Within a few days, a large group can grow from a few of them, quickly covering the entire plant and then spreading to the nearby plants. The speed of transmission is so rapid.

Where do scale insects come from?

I have had this doubt. In fact, the soil has been treated with insecticides and sterilizers, and the succulents kept on high floors have little chance of coming into contact with insects from the outside world. However, scale insects come suddenly and catch people off guard. The guess is that when succulents are purchased, the roots, branches, leaves or soil already carry scale insect eggs, but we did not do a thorough job in the insect control process, or they hid too deep, so we were unable to kill all the eggs. Under suitable weather conditions, scale insects hatch and explode, and the situation is out of control.

Are scale insects harmful to humans?

Scale insects are harmless to humans, they just make you sick... Ants can also feed on the honeydew secreted by scale insects.

The harm of scale insects to succulents

1. Induce sooty disease

Scale insects not only suck the juice of succulents, but also secrete honeydew that stains the surface of succulent leaves, causing sooty disease. It makes the leaves unable to breathe and photosynthesize normally, which is fatal to succulents. Over time, the entire succulent will shrink and die.

2. Induce black rot

Scale insects not only appear on leaves on the soil surface, but also survive in the soil. They suck nutrients from the roots of succulents and cause wounds on the roots. Pathogens in the soil will invade through the wounds, causing the roots and even the stems and leaves of the plants to become black and rotten.

3. Plant shape variation

Because scale insects constantly suck the juice of succulents, the succulents lose nutrients, and the cell tissues in the leaves and stems will be damaged over time. The speed of self-repair cannot keep up with the speed of consumption, the plant shape mutates and shrinks, and the leaves begin to develop abnormally.

4. New leaves fall off

Scale insects will eat new leaves, preventing the tender new leaves from growing normally, causing them to turn yellow, develop yellow spots, or even wither, and then fall off prematurely. New leaves do not grow, old leaves become damaged, and the entire succulent plant is destroyed to death, which makes us flower growers feel extremely depressed.

How to prevent and control scale insects

I won’t talk about those homemade insecticides because it’s hard to say how effective they are. Some people find them effective, while others feel more excited after using them... I have personally tested and found that the effective ones are to kill them one by one with a needle and to use drugs such as Huhuashen and Jiebizhi. After using them, a large number of them are killed, and I feel super good just looking at them. There are instructions on the medicine box for specific usage. As long as you don't add or subtract anything, it can generally kill scale insects effectively.

Precautions for using scale insect pesticides

1. Take the medicine in the evening

Be sure not to use the medicine in strong sunlight, as this can prevent the strong sunlight from evaporating the moisture in the medicine, increasing the concentration of the medicine and burning the roots. Moreover, if the medicine evaporates too quickly, its efficacy will not be as strong.

2. Place in a cool and ventilated place

After applying the pesticide, do not expose it to the sun, but place it in a cool and ventilated place. Expose it to light after about 3 to 5 days. Moreover, the use of the pesticide cannot be completed in one time. You need to apply the pesticide again after two days. It takes two or three applications to eradicate it. So during this period you can only move the succulents to new locations. Don't be bothered by the trouble and try to get it done once and for all.

3. Wash your hands after using the medicine

Pesticides are more or less toxic. After applying the pesticide to succulents, remember to clean them thoroughly to avoid the pesticide entering your eyes. If you have children at home, be careful and keep the medicine out of their reach.