Scale on Citrus

[RKatzin]

I've been battling scale on my Flying Dragon, a Contorted Ponceris trifoliata, this is the third season now. My modus operandi has been to physically remove the little buggers by hand. I work my way up and down every branch and twig, two or three times from different angles, lifting each branch so I can see the underside of twigs and leaf.
It's no easy chore on this tree. She's got claws, lots of them and the citrus oils sting. I know, whine whine whine! Get to the point old man!
Is there a systematic or topical chemical warfare product? It was suggested by a local know it all that I spray the tree down with alcohol, but I don't want to get my tree drunk. I imagine it'll get a good boost from a systematic insecticide. No, we're talking rubbing alcohol, 70-90%. Strong stuff. I tried it on a branch and see no ill effects, but I don't know about soaking down the whole tree, and I can't really say it killed the scale. I can't tell a live one from a dead one, I just squish them all. Any help greatly appreciated. I'm giving it about ninety minutes twice a day and I really do have other things to do with three hours of my day.

 

[0soyoung]

Suffocate them = oil spray, such a NEEM.

I spray NEEM for such things and then again about 2 weeks later when eggs, if any, will have hatched. Usually that is all it takes. Also works well for white fly though it is usually once and done with them.

 

[yenling83]

I'd go with something like Seven or Malathion. It's a good idea to spray when the temps are coolest like in the evenings/night. I'd soak the soil with water before and after spraying as well to dilute the chemicals or cover your soil with news paper or similar. Sometimes scale can just be a sign of a tree that's not in the best of health. Good luck!

 

[RKatzin]

Thanks, I think my neighbor has some neem oil. The tree is really healthy, making yards of new growth every season in spite of the little sap suckers. I first noticed them because the leaves had a yellowish tinge.