Controlling White Scale on Sago Palms: Oils, Soaps, and Systemics

Horticultural Oils (Primary)

• Types: dormant oil, summer oil, Volck oil.
• Temperature is critical: Concentration must be adjusted for ambient temp; wrong rate causes phytotoxicity.
• Consult local garden center for correct product and rate for your climate.

Supplementary Controls

• Insecticidal soaps: Effective on "crawlers" (juvenile stage).
• Systemic soil drenches: Taken up by roots; kills feeding insects.

Persistence Required

Scale insects are tenacious. Multiple applications over weeks/months needed for heavy infestations. Dead scales remain attached; monitor for live ones (juicy vs. dry/flaky).