Pygmy Date Palm Scale problem

[ddukesgolf]

I have a Pygmy Date Palm in a container on my pool deck in Northeast Florida, USA. It appears that I have a scale problem but I'm not certain as to the best way to treat it. It is affecting the new growth as well as the upper frawns. I have read that spraying repeatedly with a mixture of equal parts water and rubbing alcohol and some dish soap is an option but would like to get opinions first to make sure I don't damage the tree any further. I'm attaching pictures of the problem. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Allen]

Wow that's bad.  Treat with Imidacloprid  you can buy on amazon.  "Systemic tree drench".    This will take a couple weeks to work.  In the meantime treat the plant with horticultural oil and I would resort to taking a rag with isopropyl alcohol poured on it and try to physically remove the strong infestations.  Careful with the alcohol.

[Jenna]

Will Neem oil spray help with this problem. My Pygmy date palm has the same problem 

Edited May 2, 2022 by Jenna

[Bill H2DB]

Beginning last year I began to see this on my Pygmies .  Mine is nowhere near as bad as yours , however .  

  I have been able to keep the infestation somewhat under control by using the hand triggered end on the hose as a hard spray , and that will wash a good amount off . Make sure to get the underside of the leaves too .

Possibly a pre-wetting with a mild detergent solution before the spray might improve the removal .

   That only buys some time however , and I will now be going to a systemic as mentioned above .

   I have seen this now beginning to appear on C. Microspadix  !!!!

[ddukesgolf]

Thanks Bill. Following my original post I ended up using the tree drench solution suggested by Allen and also sprayed with Oil/dish soap combo. It took a while but eventually cleared up completely. Now I'm just making sure to keep it fertilized on a regular schedule and all has been well!