Scale insects. Challenging to get rid of them on an indoor tree.

See the link below ...

Here is a link that might be useful: soft scale on ficus

Scale? How are you coming up with scale, jean?

Thank you for the response. I think it is some kind of scale. I wiped each leaf off today, I tried to take a closer pic, but they are so tiny.

I guess jean's eyes are better than mine.

When someone says they have an indoor Ficus and the leaves "continue to yellow fall and almost all have a sticky clear substance on the underside" you can count on the pests being soft scale - even if you don't have an image.

Few folks notice these critters. They are very small, they hang out along the mid rib, and they blend into the leaf color.

....... like Hedera (ivy) and mites.

Al

The tree has not been indoors for over 20 years. It's been outdoors in the pot and gets afternoon sun.

I don't think I want to put chemicals on it, perhaps removing the scale like I did worked?

Mechanical removal of scale can help alleviate the damage caused by the infestation to some degree, but the chances of it remedying the problem are zero.

If you're diligent and apply this weekly for 3-4 weeks, it will work:

1 pint very hot water
1 pint rubbing alcohol or ethanol
1 tsp neem oil
1/4 tsp Castile or Murphy's Oil Soap

In a 1 quart spritzer, mix the neem, hot water, and sope. Shake well, then add the alcohol. Spritz the tree heavily, keeping the mixture agitated as you spray so it stays emulsified. Use all the mixture that day or discard and wash out the container. Use only pure, cold-pressed neem oil, such as that packaged by Dyna-Gro. You can substitute insecticidal soap for the Castile/Murphy's.

Be sure to cover all the plant's surfaces, including undersides of leaves and leaf axils.

Al

Mechanical removal of scale can help alleviate the damage caused by the infestation to some degree, but the chances of it remedying the problem are zero.

If you're diligent and apply this weekly for 3-4 weeks, it will work:

1 pint very hot water
1 pint rubbing alcohol or ethanol
1 tsp neem oil
1/4 tsp Castile or Murphy's Oil Soap

In a 1 quart spritzer, mix the neem, hot water, and sope. Shake well, then add the alcohol. Spritz the tree heavily, keeping the mixture agitated as you spray so it stays emulsified. Use all the mixture that day or discard and wash out the container. Use only pure, cold-pressed neem oil, such as that packaged by Dyna-Gro. You can substitute insecticidal soap for the Castile/Murphy's.

Be sure to cover all the plant's surfaces, including undersides of leaves and leaf axils.

Al

Just one watering of that systemc will kill off all those pests. Its as easy as that.
I myself don't see how watering one indoor plant harms the environment. And,no need to spray...mix in a watering can and no chance you - or anybody- can come into contact with it.
Name your indoor plant sucking insect,and it kills it.

I cave in and used the Bayer 3 in 1. It worked! However, I had to use it about once a week for about a month until all bugs were dead. I also transplanted it in a much larger pot with fresh soil to help reduce stress since it was root bound packed. Almost all the damaged leaves have now fallen and the regrowth seems fresh and solid. Ficus tree says thank you!

Yay! Happy story ending! Thanks for the update.