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Hi, I have a small mimosa tree, it generally looks very healthy except there are clusters of white crustation like mounds attached to the underside of the branches. I have scoured the internet to find out what they are but so far no luck. I have treated the tree with anti fungus sprays and general pest and bug sprays but this has not worked. I have attached a photo to show the problem. If you know what this is and how to treat it I would be very grateful, regards, Gerald.



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Answers

 

Looks as if you have mealy bugs Loganfood.
I had a very light infestation in November - I used "Natures Answer" fungus and bug killer. I sprayed the plant and left it outdoors during the day when it was quite cool. I also used a bamboo skewer to squish all the bugs that I could, but yours is a mega infestation compared to mine! Worth doing the physical control though.
You must keep this plant isolated too.

31 Dec, 2010

 

They look like scale bugs to me. the best organic thing to do is to squish them. I wear rubber gloves when i do it. You can use a systemic insecticide. They have a protective layer that means direct spraying doesnt do any thing to them.

31 Dec, 2010

 

All of above and

Someone once told me to use a cotton ear bud and Methylated spirits and dab each bug with meths.

31 Dec, 2010

 

Do as Meanie and SBG say. Watch for any more which can be controlled with methylated spirits painted on with a fine camel haired brush, just dab it on the affected area, you don't have to move the plant.

31 Dec, 2010

 

Sorry Jiffy we posted at the same time.

31 Dec, 2010

 

definatly mealy bugs .if you have a pond and are going to use a spray be carefull as its poisonas to fish . squishing is best but not always practical i find . have a happy new year x

31 Dec, 2010

 

Happy New Year to you Leigh and all your doggies.

31 Dec, 2010

 

Just done a little research to distinguish the difference, and it would seem that they are of the same family.....

http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/problems/scale-bug-how-to-control-plant-scale.htm

These look as if they are mobile (I'm basing that upon the brown one with the antennae in the second photo), so it is important at the very least to move it away from other plants.

31 Dec, 2010

 

Not a problem Doctorbob.

31 Dec, 2010

 

sorted again bye my friend doctor bob and you have a happy new year to mate .

31 Dec, 2010

 

It's one of the cushion scale group, which has the worst of the scale and mealybug clans. Difficult to control due to the water repellent fuzz, and the waxy shell. Anything you spray it with has to be mixed with a surfactant to get it through both barriers. I've had the best luck with carbaryl, but both malathion and synthetic pyrethroids work, too. Provado will also work, but it's slow. Insecticidal soap will work by killing the juvenile crawlers, which means spraying every three days, over a period of several months. Tough critters!

31 Dec, 2010

 

I killed all of the scale insects on my indoor plant by spraying it (do it outside) with Provado Bug Gun.
They then poisoned themselves by feeding on the plant.
Result!

1 Jan, 2011

How do I say thanks?

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