"Nick Maclaren" wrote in message
...

In article ,
"gray bale" writes:
| Whats the best way of getting rid of scale insects from a Bay Tree and
a
| Camelia that I have.

Scraping off with a blunt knife, and repeating as necessary.
Infeasible on large trees, but very effective on small ones.

Alternatively, leaving them outside in areas that get frost.
Scale insects are less hardy than either of those plants.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

The frost doesn't seem to be clearing ours (not that we get much here) and
what is more the ants seem to be 'farming' the scale insects on our Bay Tree
in a pot (or at least harvesting them).

I have scraped loads off but they keep coming back.

So - if I get rid of the ants, will the scale insects not spread as fast?
OR
If I get rid of the scale insects will the ants go elsewhere?

Is it time to get systemic?
If so, what systemics are available now and how long before the plant is
safe to use for culinary purposes?

TIA
Dave R