Scale, how do you get rid of it ?

Its getting on some of my big own roots in front of the house. They are in shade a fair bit of the day. Do scale live only in shade ?

Nope... they live on plant stems anywhere and generally become a problem when the plant is stressed by something... a spray with white oil will kill them. See this safe DIY link: http://www.answers.com/topic/white-oil-1

Have a look to see what's stressing them too. Sometimes it's just an old weak branch that needs removing, sometimes they need a feed to become stronger... etc it could be any number of many things.

Now... did I read somewhere that some people add bicarb to their white oil? I think people add all kinds of things to their white oil...

Thanks Simon, but I sure don't think these roses are stressed unless they wanted a bit more water and they had there first watering by hand about 1 and a half weeks ago. We have now just had 35 mls of wonderful rain.
I read in a second hand book shop that roses that have protection or other plants growing with them will get scale. If that is true I am starting to see why people years ago didn't grow roses with any other plants around them. It would be a massive job if I had to do every bush for Scale. I haven't seen any scale out in the paddock roses yet. The only difference they have is deep soil and all day sun, and they are away a bit from the roses with scale. I will have more of a look around the garden and also in some of my few rose books.
How long does white oil last for before its made up and what is the stongest mix you can you put it on ? Because the last batch I made of it didn't work. But I only sprayed it once. I will try it made up with the Bicarbonate too. The book said one of the cures was soapy water so I will give that a try as well.
I visited Meryl Thursday night and Friday morning ( my partner had to have a test done at the Royal Albert hospital ) and some of her roses have scale too.
Anyone else having trouble or had it and what are your ways of getting rid of it ?

Karen, whats about a diversionary tactic. We have a lot of this men from the fire department in our garden:



but you can only find them near by the places where Malvaceae, Common Hollyhock, are growing

cheers
Bernhard

Hi Bernhard, what are these insects called ? Do they like eating Scales ?

rosemeadow wrote:Hi Bernhard, what are these insects called ? Do they like eating Scales ?

no, it's a scale too, (a member of the 'Hemiptera' Family), I've noticed now that you are referring to the (Schildläuse) Coccoidea. Forget my tip.

cheers
Bernhard

Okay, thanks anyway Bernhard.