scale insects?

JHitchcock · Post by **JHitchcock** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 8:54 pm

So while trying liven up the aviary today I cut a piece of hibiscus to use as a toy, and found it was pretty infested.. with what im assuming to be scale insects (correct me if im wrong!) Now, I was wondering... 1) If these are safe to put in the aviary, and 2) would this add as a source of food for the birds? if the insects are non-toxic, would there be any benefits to having a few for the birds to nibble on every now and then? I have no experience with the bugs and wasnt sure if anyone else has.... If not... its not a big deal.. ill just chuck the bush and start fresh... just was wondering if anyone has dealt with it before

Here is a pic of the infestation..

let me know what you all think...

B CAMP · Post by **B CAMP** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 9:35 pm

Why take the chance,but someone might know for sure.
I dont give mine anything I am not sure of

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 2:48 pm

Not sure about these fellahs...now aphids....that's different...birds love 'em.

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 7:56 pm

take a section of the plant to your local nursery and ask them what it is. I opened the post thinking aphids like Paul mentioned and was thinking lucky birds

JHitchcock · Post by **JHitchcock** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 8:24 pm

yeh ive got tons of ahpids stomping around in the yard in diff spots... but i believe they are living... (and eating) in a toxic plant... so that prob takes them out of the question... unless I started a culture on a nontoxic plant ... like hibiscus... for a while? the scale insects i found the name online and i cant see anything about them being toxic.... nor useful.... so i duno...

JHitchcock · Post by **JHitchcock** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 9:11 pm

after some serious research - the plant the aphids are living on is Hoya carnosa - or wax plant.... which i have seen in both toxic and non toxic lists. I did a forum search and saw one person mention it before, but not sure about the conclusion... so the aphids living on the wax plant from my brief research seem to be called either the oleander or milkweed aphid... would these be safe to feed to the fellas? Im always up for offering additional natural and interesting foods for the birds... but wana know that there safe before i do!

FINCHIE · Post by **FINCHIE** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 1:26 am

Hi , I posted the question in relation to the Hoya Carnosa. I have had it in my aviary since that post and I have had no problems with it. They actually enjoy swinging from its vines!

I spoke to a guy from my nursery and he said that most flowering plants have some level of toxicity, however like us the birds will take a little sample and because it tastes so bad they stop eating it. I guess finches in the wild are exposed to all types of flowers/plants/berries and so they must have this in-built sense of what is toxic and what is not.