How to Rid a Ficus Plant of Scales Without Chemicals

Ficus is a large genus of plants that are commonly grown indoors. They're prone to several insects, including scale. Scale insects suck the sap from a plant, often leaving behind a sticky substance. In small numbers, scale usually does not harm a plant. If left untreated to multiply, though, they can damage or kill a plant in time. If your ficus has scale and you don't want to use a pesticide to get rid of them, incorporate several cultural practices and use a mild insecticidal soap or oil if necessary.

Potting soil
Soapy water
Cotton swap
Container
Insecticidal soap or oil

Instructions

- 1
  Isolate the ficus plant affected by scale from other houseplants to prevent its spread.
- 2
  Repot the ficus in new, sterile or pasteurized potting soil. Do this outdoors and discard the old soil. If you reuse the same container, clean it thoroughly with hot, soapy water. Carefully remove as much of the old soil from around the roots and replant it to the same depth as before.
- 3
  Use a wet cotton swab and knock off the adult scale in a container of soapy water. Some scale insects are visible to the naked eye. Do this several times a day, carefully examining the undersides of the leaves as well as the top.
- 4
  Allow the top 2 to 3 inches of the soil to dry out before watering a ficus. This helps reduce the likelihood of scale. Do not fertilize a ficus until the scale is under control.
- 5
  Spray an insecticidal soap or oil, which does not use harsh chemicals, as insecticides do. Apply as indicated on the label. Reapply weekly or as indicated on the label as necessary.

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