lhb2444 Posted February 27, 2013 I've recently been treating my cacti for a little mite problem that was persisting which seems to have been contained however upon doing my usual mite check this afternoon I noticed these little black spots on some of my cacti and an acacia that were unaffected by the mites. As you can see in the pictures they look like little poppy seeds which can be scratched off with a finger nail (on the euphorbria you can see it bleeding sap from where one of these was attached) Any idea's on a diagnosis? Is it some sort of scale insect? I thought maybe another species of mite but from what I've read they are usually quite active if you try and touch them where as these little things make no attempt to move. And I guess and ideas on how to treat this issue? (assuming it is actually an issue) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bert&Ernie Posted February 27, 2013 I really have no idea but could it be some kind of insect egg? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lhb2444 Posted February 27, 2013 Yeah that certainly sounds like it could fit. I didn't think of insect eggs initially but would an insect egg be sucking the sap/juice/what ever comes out of the plant, as the one I removed did cause the plant to bleed from where it was attached. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bert&Ernie Posted February 27, 2013 Yeah that certainly sounds like it could fit. I didn't think of insect eggs initially but would an insect egg be sucking the sap/juice/what ever comes out of the plant, as the one I removed did cause the plant to bleed from where it was attached. It could be that its just attached very well and when you pulled it off you pulled off Some of The skin with it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zelly Posted February 27, 2013 looks like the scales I get on my staghorns. I keep a bunch of old tooth brushes with my plants, which works great for getting critters off the plants once they've been hit with bug killer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lhb2444 Posted February 27, 2013 Jwerta; yeah could be, I scratched some more off and didn't get any sap. Zelly; that was kinda my first thought re: scale. Looks like i'll be buying a new toothbrush this evening and giving them a nice scrubbing. I guess then I should use the naturasoap stuff I've been using for the mite problem I was dealing with or can you recommend something better to combat scale? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
El Presidente Hillbillios Posted February 27, 2013 that black scale seems to like humidity. Been heaps around lately 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bert&Ernie Posted February 27, 2013 so it is a type of scale then? crazy.... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zelly Posted February 27, 2013 I use Pyrethrin concentrate (diluted) Hit once to kill the critters, then again a few days later to kill the eggs. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
