Wisteria Scale Pest Could Wipe Out Wisteria Plants
Not everyone knows that Ambius (previously Rentokil Tropical Plants) is part of the Rentokil Initial family. Although their pests are different to traditional Rentokil pests like rats, mice and cockroaches – their beautiful interior plant displays and exterior landscaping can suffer from infestations too.
Take the Wisteria Scale Pest for example. It was highlighted earlier this year by the Royal Horticultural Society as a problem for British gardeners and this story has also been echoed, echoed (did you spot the typo in their title, tee hee!) and re-echoed by the media. It was allegedly imported on foreign plants and is now busy making its way down Wisteria Lane/Wall all around the country.
Now, I’m not one for gardening, but I have an amazing rose bush at home (thanks to the previous owners) and I quite enjoy having it bloom every year at the end of my garden. I think I’d actually miss having it there if it ever got struck down by a plant pest. I should imagine that people who are avid gardeners would feel even stronger about the distinctive purple wisteria flower if (when) the wisteria scale attacks their plants.
But what to do? According to the RHS since this is such an invasive pest it would be very hard to spray the wisteria thoroughly when it grows so closely up against a wall, so they recommend chemical control measures.
Portia:
I am very disappointed with Rentokil Initial – Malaysia. To say that their service is bad will be an understatement. I rented an aquascape (Ambius). They stopped servicing the tank last year in December. I complained late January 2009. Nothing was done about it but invoices kept on coming. I asked their manager to look into it and cancel my contract. Today is 22 June 09 and still nothing is done about it. I have received yet another invoice from Ambius billing me for an empty unit which I asked to be collected ages ago. So what do you call this kind of service. I will advise people to stay away from Rentokil Malaysia, they are a big disappointment…
June 22, 2009, 4:01 amDanusia:
@Portia: I was disappointed to read your complaint against Ambius. We have had contact with our colleagues in Malaysia to urgently resolve this matter.
I am pleased to report that the Managing Director states the following: “I apologized for our poor service and assured (her) that we will remove the unit and issue the credit note as requested. She has accepted our apology and I will ensure that what we have promised her will be done.”
It is worth noting that Ambius is actually part of the Rentokil Initial family, and not part of the Rentokil pest control division.
June 23, 2009, 11:52 am