Coccoidea, as scale insects are also called, are real pests on oleanders. The animals prefer to infest hard-leaved plants - in addition to oleanders, for example, palms or ivy - and tend not only to multiply very quickly, but also to infest neighboring plants. In this article you will find out how to recognize and effectively eliminate common oleander pests.
Scale insects love oleanders
What are scale insects?
Not all scale insects are the same, because there are around 4,000 different species of these small animals. However, they all have one thing in common: they hide and protect themselves with a hard, white or greyish shield. The tiny louse also lays its numerous eggs under this, from which the offspring hatch - and finally haunts all the surrounding plants. The animals belong to the sap-sucking insects and prefer to sit on the undersides of the leaves and on the young shoots. Like aphids and other plant lice, they excrete the sweet honeydew, which serves as a food source for both ants and sooty mold fungi.
Examine oleanders regularly
Since oleander is very susceptible not only to various diseases but also to infestation by sucking pests, you should regularly check your plants for this. This is important because an infestation discovered early is easier to eliminate and the damage is not yet too pronounced. You can recognize a scale insect infestation by these signs:
- The oleander is coated with a sticky material.
- White dots or a white coating can be seen on the leaves.
- The foliage changes color and is eventually shed.
- Flowers, leaves and shoots deform.
Get rid of scale insects permanently
Fortunately, scale insects can be eliminated quite successfully with both natural means and commercial pesticides. However, it is immensely important that you always carry out scale insect cures to the end - on the one hand, so that all animals and their eggs are really eliminated and on the other hand, because otherwise scale insects can build up resistance. These remedies have proven to be effective:
- Rapeseed or olive oil with which the animals are dabbed.
- The honeydew can be washed off with soapy water.
- Neem or oil based pesticides.
- Watering with self-made nettle manure or tobacco brew.
Separate affected plants immediately and treat over a period of several weeks.
tips
You can prevent a scale insect infestation by providing plenty and sufficient fresh air and not necessarily placing the oleanders directly on a house wall. In addition, the plants should be properly cared for and cared for, because an infestation occurs mainly in weakened specimens.