Good point (think I also said this before.) I have had good success with stray adults (the ones with the light buff scales) by 'rubbing' them off with my finger then spraying entire plant with a safe home insecticide (I use Schultz brand 'Garden Safe Houseplant & Garden insect spray') It is basically Canola Oil and natural Pyrethrins. Scale will be with us for a while as the imature insects can hide anywhere.

Those dental tools work really well for getting down in the nooks and crannies of the leaves. The edges are not sharp, just somewhat pointed and curved. They're great for pulling anything out of the leaves

I have scales on 2 of my plants and will be trying this remedy. Thanks so much!

Leon of the former Hoosier Orchid company told me he once killed a phaius tankervillai by over doing the alcohol to the point of causing serious tissue damage. He said he sprayed it so much that it was dripping off of the plant. (The plant was infested with mealy bugs) I usually just wipe down the plants leaves with a paper towel dipped in alcohol and it works fine and I haven't personally had any issues.

Hi Dave,

I've been using the rubbing alcohol straight from the bottle. I pick up a 2 pack at Costco and just fill my spray bottle. I spray the leaves and really soak them. Not the flowers. but some even get really close to the base of the plants. Does not seem to do any harm. I did have a problem awhile back with scale but not since I keep that handy dandy bottle of alcohol hanging right on one of my plant stands. Worked on some aphids on my orchid tree nearby. Adios to them too. Have not tried the 409 mix yet but have plenty to give it a try. I like using the alcohol since it evaporates quickly.

I have heard because of the rapid cooling/drying of rubiing alcohol that it can actually "burn" your plants by supercooling them. I have seen that only happen once on my phal. I don't know if this is true or not, but I would just be sure to rinse off the alcohol afterwards.

I just treated my 2 plants with a 50/50 solution of rubbing alcohol and 409. I sprayed the leaves down really well and then wiped them down with a paper towel (this is also when I removed the nasty scales). I will update with how the plants are doing.