With the arrival of autumn and increased humidity, many gardeners encounter an old enemy: pests. One of the most common these days is the scale insect. Although it is an imperceptible bug, it can cause significant damage to plants if not controlled in time.
There are several types of scale insects, such as the cottony, the grooved, or the brown, but they all have the same behavior: they attach to plants and suck their sap, weakening them. If not combated, they can end up killing the plant.
That is why it is important to detect them early. The ideal is to carefully inspect the leaves, especially on the underside, where they tend to hide. If the leaves turn yellow, if flowers and fruits fall prematurely, or if the plant looks weak, it may be a sign of infestation. It is also common to see many ants walking around, as they take advantage of the sugar that scale insects secrete. So if there are ants, it is advisable to check as well.