Rubbing Alcohol (Isopropyl) for Scale Control?

[Jubaea]

This year I have had a lot of problems with ants farming and spreading around scale and other insects in the garden. I'm wondering if anyone has used rubbing alcohol to treat insects without harming their palms? I tried wiping some scale off of some spears using rubbing alcohol and a wet paper towel and I am hoping this won't cause any damage to the palms.

[PalmatierMeg]

If you want to use alcohol I suggest you dip Q-tips into a bowl of it, then touch each scale rather that spray or wipe palm leaves. If I want to go after scale or mealy bugs I make a mild soap solution (Dawn or castillean soap) and gently apply with a soft washcloth. Alcohol will kill the bugs but is very harsh and drying to healthy palm leaves. Use it carefully

[Josh-O]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Don't use any alcohol of any type. This will prematurely dry out your leaves and devoid them of moisture.

I use a mixture of malathion and volk oil. It stops any scale dead in their tracks.

[Jubaea]

Thanks for the reply's, I won't use anymore alcohol.

[Pal Meir]

I had good success with diluted second brew of coffee, spraying it over and under the leaves. It killed all scale insects (Coccoidea) on a heavily infected Trachycarpus wagnerianus. And also all the very tiny dark red mites on Lytocaryum weddellianum, which withstood even insecticides I used formerly.

[sashaeffer]

  On 8/30/2015 at 10:26 AM, Pal Meir said:

I had good success with diluted second brew of coffee, spraying it over and under the leaves. It killed all scale insects (Coccoidea) on a heavily infected Trachycarpus wagnerianus. And also all the very tiny dark red mites on Lytocaryum weddellianum, which withstood even insecticides I used formerly.

What was your dilution rate?

[Pal Meir]

1/3 Italian espresso 2nd brew (after drinking the 1st one myself ) to 2/3 water; afterwards also 1/4 to 3/4. I repeated the treatment several times until I could see that all scales (and mites) had fallen (or dried out).

[Jubaea]

I have previously read about using coffee before as an insecticide. I might give that a try since I have plenty of coffee on hand. I'll also get some volk oil and soap ready. I don't want to let the scale get out of control.