Florida Red Scale on Dracaena and Citrus: Identification and Control

Florida Red Scale on Dracaena and Citrus: Identification and Control

Found hard, dark bumps on your Dracaena marginata or citrus trees? That's Florida red scale—an armored insect, not a disease. Here's how to eliminate it safely.

What Is Florida Red Scale?

Tiny insects protect themselves under hard, shell-like covers. They suck plant sap, causing yellowing leaves and sticky "honeydew" residue. They're harmless to humans but weaken plants significantly.

Treatment Options

For light infestations: Dab each scale with a cotton swab soaked in 70% isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol. The alcohol penetrates the armor and kills the insect and eggs beneath.

For heavy infestations: Spray the entire plant (including soil surface) with 70% rubbing alcohol twice weekly for 4 weeks. This catches newly hatched crawlers before they form shells.

Systemic option: Bayer Advanced Tree & Shrub Protect & Feed (imidacloprid) applied as a soil drench. The plant absorbs it, killing feeding scale. Reapply every 3–4 months. Check label for edible crop restrictions on citrus.

Key Points

• Rubbing alcohol is safe for edible citrus—fruit remains consumable.
• Persistence is essential: eggs hatch over weeks.
• Inspect all nearby plants—scale spreads via mobile crawler stage.

Expert advice from Darlene, houseplant specialist.