Wife's Haworthia in trouble!

[Traveller]

Hello,
My wife's Haworthia are dropping like flies and since I'm mainly into cacti, this is out of my knowledge base.
Her Haworthia all seem to have some sort of scale, but I am not sure which type, or it could be something else again. Also, I am not sure what is the best treatment for her plants. We live in Zone 10, Sydney, Australia and it's just gone into Autumn here now. I've taken some pictures and I hope we can not only work out what the problem is, but how to fix it as well; Happy wife, Happy life. I've got to get these Haworthia fixed up.
Thanks in advance,
Traveller

[mikethecactusguy]

Scale on succulents is treated the same way as you would on cactus. Cactus are succulents.

[Traveller]

So are these just a normal variety of scale? Is it OK at this time of year (Autumn) to remove them from the pot and totally scrub them down, then spray with isopropyl? Is there a better way to do it?

[mikethecactusguy]

I treat scale 2 ways. Surface treatments and then systemic to ward off another infection. I have been very lucky. I have not had a scale issue as of yet. Then again I usually add a systemic mix every 3 months to my watering regime.
Knock on wood

[Steve Johnson]

Like Mike said, scale on succulents are treated the same way as you would on cacti. Here's a little presentation I posted sometime back -- everything you wanted to know about cactus pests but were afraid to ask:

http://www.cactiguide.com/forum/viewtop ... 24&t=42129

My presentation is geared toward an American audience, so I don't know if you're allowed to buy Imidacloprid or another neonicotinoid in Australia. If you are, I believe that you'll be looking for Thiocloprid. I honestly don't know if your wife's succulents are growing or dormant now, but if they're in growth and you can give them a soil soak, it should solve the scale problem.

[Traveller]

Just a quick update and Thank You, as her plants are in much better shape, thanks to trying all of your suggestions.