u/TaskenLander

Me again (again).
Following all the helpful tips in the previous two posts about this issue (I wish I could just add photo updates to my original post), I decided to take what I thought was the best, safest, immediate action for my issue with the mealie bugs or scale that’s been plaguing my poor beloved sago tree the past three weeks or more.

When I went to go get some insecticide systemics from my local arborist, I explained to the gentleman my issue. He strongly advised I first try something like neem max paired with a hose as first initial treatment as he suggested, if possible, it would be best to try to avoid having to use poisons or anything that would require PPE with tackling the issue.

Approximately one week ago, after carefully pruning the tree of all affected palms and giving the tree a very diligent hosing down with water, I began to treat the tree at dusk with the neem max spray. The arborist suggested I give it about 10 days and then spray it again. I’m officially about a week in and I can already see some more white secretions building up on palms from the insects, but absolutely, and in no way, as bad as before.

I’m officially reaching the point where I’m growing officially concerned that this might be getting more out of hand as more palms appear to be dying, but I am honestly unsure if it’s related to the infestation directly or just coincidentally happening due to the time of the year, as I noticed lately a lot of palm trees I see in my area, New Orleans, also appeared to have sections that are wilting and dying.

I know I’ve asked for advice before with which systemic treatment to go with and again I appreciate all the feedback, but a lot of the responses were just beyond my skill level of comprehension and I am once again reaching out, asking, based on the updated pictures provided, where do I go from here? Is it time to officially start doing some type of treatment to the soil and if so, what product can I buy that is the least toxic to me and also poses the least risk to the tree?

Or do I just need to give the neem max spray a little more time and a few several more treatments?

Thank you all for your time.

🙏🏻🌴

EDIT: I’ve also posted a few pics of insecticides my local Home Depot had in the event one of these proves to be a viable option at this juncture. Thank you again.

Do I just need to replace the slip joint washer gasket with a better, flanged, one? (example shown in pic 3)

Thank you in advance for any help. 🙏🏻

Sincerely,
Total moron / first time homeowner

My order for my ‘84 Proton Pack arrived today, but it will admittedly be a very long while before I can really mess around with it and begin making the desired modifications to it as I have a newborn and just purchased my first home.

My question, as ever potentially OCD as it may be, its does the orientation of the box matter when storing it for a long extended period? I’d much rather have it stored on its side to conserve space in my “work in progress” mancave/nerd room but noticed when receiving it today the box clearly had a “this side up” marker on it, indicating that the pack should perhaps not be rested on its side for a prolonged time but instead flat, which unfortunately takes up a lot more space than I prefer. (Extreme first world problems, I know ha)

Just wanted to be safe with storing it as I definitely don’t want to risk any stress or damage(?) to anything before I can finally begin to open it and enjoy it.

Also — is it fine to rest the wand in box on top of the box for the Proton Pack? Cannot imagine it doing any harm as it’s so, relatively speaking, lightweight but just thought I’d ask and confirm.

Thank you in advance for any feedback. 🚫👻📦🔫✌🏻

So, today, based on y’all’s advice I pruned the Sago as much as I could to rid it of the white infested “flocked” looking areas. I also cut a lot of the already dead or dying branches off.

I then gave it a good rinse with the “jet” setting of my gardening hose.

TBH I am appreciative but a little overwhelmed with the recommended treatment options. Beginning to fear I may make it worst by potentially over-treating it, I contacted a local tree service business and their specialist asked for photos to determine if the tree was even salvageable and had this to offer, “You can go to Lowe's and get a container of the Bengal Fire Ant powder and sprinkle about half of a cup around the base of the palm and water it in, and that should knock all of the bugs off of it. It will act as a systemic which means it will take a little while for it to work.”

I then also inquired about the use of need oil and he stated that it couldn’t hurt to also do.

So now I am at a roadblock as, while I have more newfound confidence in tacking this myself, I have no idea as to what’s the most effective / “safest” way to tackle the perimeter (that also won’t break the bank).

Based on this final round of potential replies, I plan to make a decision and just go for it late tomorrow afternoon.

Thank you all for the feedback yo to this point and sorry for the somewhat double post — it wouldn’t allow me to post additional update pics in my replies on the previous post.

Anything particularly looks missing? Is it possible to purchase replacement stickers / cardboard side panels from somewhere? Thanks in advance. #MTFBWY

Thank you in advance. 🚫👻✌🏻

Spotted on one of open air bars in Wroclaw. Looks kinda cool I think.

Should we immediately stop drinking out of it?