One of my favorite succulents has a nasty case of scale. I've always been pretty laid back about dealing with pests in my plants but I really want this plant to make it! When I first noticed I tried to just pick them off. Then I sprayed it with an organic insect treatment. When that didn't work I tried Bayer systemic insecticide. Now I just don't know what to do. But I also have never done this.

How do you treat scale? How do I tell when they are truly dead; will they fall off? Other thoughts?

Btw I have not removed the infected foliage. I really would prefer not to hack this plant back to nothing but if y'all think its the only way to save the plant I guess I will.

Thanks!