if thats a fern.. you might want to check out the link ...'

but i am guessing ...

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: link

Thanks. It is a birds nest fern. The pattern looks wholly different from pictures I've seen of spores, though.
It does look somewhat like pictures I've seen of scale, but I've never really experienced it in person before.

I'm hoping there might be a systemic product I can use rather than the alcohol approach.

BNFern spores are very unique and those are not spores.

If I had one fern, I'd continue with the alcohol treatments, or even a spray of one part alcohol to three parts water. After a couple of days, gently support a frond with the palm of your hand, belly side up. Take a warm moist cloth to wipe the insects off. Rinse the cloth before going on to the next frond.

You can also use one of the highly refined horticultural oils on this fern....not dormant oil.

I'd not use a systemic pesticide on an indoor plant.

I bought some Bonide granules on Amazon. Hopefully that will work. Incidentally, I have a big ant problem, which I think is exacerbating the scale issue.

I totally get your point, rhizo, and I generally agree.
I guess I'm okay using the Bonide because it is granules & I won't have to spray it.

It probably was a bad impulse buy, though. I don't think it will do anything about the ants. If I get rid of the ants, I can probably manage the scale.

Ariel, since you mention the ants, is your plant in a container outside?

Though the ants are totally taking advantage of the scale honeydew, I'm not so sure that they have the same relationship with scale as they do aphids.

If the ants are inside, or pestering a plant outside, I use Terro boric acid prefilled liquid bait trays. If your ants are after sugary honeydew, they will be tempted by the Terro. Works like a charm if you follow the directions.

Let us know how the fern does.

Inside. I'm getting some Terro trays tomorrow. I'll report back. Thanks for talking me back from the ledge. ;-)