If you have a small infestation, you can scrape the offending stragglers off; but, if you see quite a few of these little buggers then you may need to consider chemical means to eradicate all of the scale in their various forms.
According to the AOS website, scale has three stages, like most insects: egg stage, larval stage and mature stage. The females lay their eggs under the protective shells then die. The eggs hatch into what is called "crawlies", the larval stage. They crawl to where they want to mature, and set up "home", forming the scales. In some species, females form the lasting "scales", whereas in those species, the males form wings and take to the air; their job is to breed and die; in other species both female and male form scales as protective "shields". Then the cycle repeats ad-nauseum. The cycle can be from 2-3 weeks long in optimum conditions up to a 4-8 weeks under less than perfect conditions. Perfect conditions are humid with little air flow. But the cycles are staggered, so you have all different stages going on at the same time. AOS says that home growers may just use alcohol, liquid soap and water, but this is considered "maintenance" not eradication, as it you miss ONE scale, or "crawlie" you have allowed the scale to start over again.
My experience has been that a few of the "crawlies" tend to seek cracks and crevices to get into so they are out of the wind and protected by the plant. These are the ones that are sooo difficult to scrape off. As I have a lot of orchids, indoor and close together, I don't tolerate scale well. If I bring one in that has scale, I spray it with a mild insecticide, it really doesn't take that harsh of a chemical to get rid of them. Some growers use systemic insecticides which means that no bug can "hide" from the insecticide as it is in the sap of the plant.
Hope some of this help you decide how to go.
Best of luck with getting rid of these little beasties.
Steve
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to getting a plant with scale.
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