Treating Scale on a Dying Palm

A 10-year-old palm shows drying fronds, sticky residue, and brown sacs on cut fronds and leaf bases. The owner has tried Lysol and pulling dead fronds, and asks about using Raid or spider mite treatment.

Answer

This sounds like scale insects – small, brown, sucking pests that attach to leaves and stems. Mix 3 tablespoons of mild dish soap in a gallon of water and spray the entire palm (tops and undersides of fronds) daily for one week. Then continue twice a week for a month to catch hatching eggs. This treatment also works on spider mites. Avoid harsh chemicals like Lysol or Raid, which can damage the plant.