Is it a scale issue or different issue on trachycarpus fortunei?

[palmofmyhand]

I think it could be scale but I’m not completely sure. There have been ants crawling all over this thing for weeks at least. I noticed the white spots start forming weeks back but just left it alone hoping it would deal with it on it’s own. I have a pair of chamaerops humilis that have tons of white stuff on them but I am pretty certain that is just tomentum, as it has been on there at least since last year. This doesn’t appear to be like the tomentum and the ants crawling lead me to believe it’s a different problem. Does anyone know what steps I need to take with this thing going forward? The other trachycarpus fortunei I have next to it doesn’t have any of this problem or any ants on it thankfully. It appears to have gotten worse after leaving it alone for weeks after noticing the first small white spots. Any help is appreciated, thanks everyone.

[Harry’s Palms]

With a light infestation , the first thing I try is a little dish soap and water . Wash off the scale  with a soapy paper towel and dispose of it in the trash . It may take repeated treatment but usually it works . They hate soap. If that doesn’t work , you will have to go to a nursery for something stronger . I have used pesticide designed for vegetables and , again , repeated application. Harry

[happypalms]

A good strong hosing will blast that away, along with a bit of hand rubbing I would not panic about the situation myself! 

[palmofmyhand]

11 hours ago, Harry’s Palms said:

With a light infestation , the first thing I try is a little dish soap and water . Wash off the scale  with a soapy paper towel and dispose of it in the trash . It may take repeated treatment but usually it works . They hate soap. If that doesn’t work , you will have to go to a nursery for something stronger . I have used pesticide designed for vegetables and , again , repeated application. Harry

Thanks for the help!

[palmofmyhand]

21 hours ago, Harry’s Palms said:

With a light infestation , the first thing I try is a little dish soap and water . Wash off the scale  with a soapy paper towel and dispose of it in the trash . It may take repeated treatment but usually it works . They hate soap. If that doesn’t work , you will have to go to a nursery for something stronger . I have used pesticide designed for vegetables and , again , repeated application. Harry

would it damage the tissue for the sun to beam on it while covered in water/soap? should I leave it on or wash it off with regular water after?

[Harry’s Palms]

The solution is pretty weak and I wipe the excess off . You can also rinse the fronds after washing them . Harry