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Pests
Scale Insects on Palms
Commonly affects: Various palms (Arecaceae)
Small, immobile brown or tan bumps attach to fronds and stems, secreting honeydew and often causing sooty mould to develop on the honeydew residue.
Potential Causes
- 1Scale insects establishing on frond undersides and along stems
- 2Introduction from a nearby infested plant
- 3Stressed plants being more susceptible
Solution Steps
- 1Scrape off visible scale by hand or with a soft brush for light infestations
- 2Apply horticultural oil or systemic insecticide for more established infestations
- 3Wipe away sooty mould once the underlying scale is controlled
- 4Repeat treatment over several weeks for full control, since scale's protective coating resists a single application
Prevention Tip
Sooty mould on a palm is a secondary symptom â treating the underlying scale infestation is what actually resolves the problem.
