Keep Scale Insects at Bay this Winter.

December 18, 2014 | By webadmin

Just because it's winter, doesn't mean our gardens shut down completely. There are still pests and diseases that are active this time of year. Winter is actually one of the best times to manage many pests that overwinter in our landscape shrubs. Scale is one such pest that we treat for in January.

Holly are susceptible to scale infestations. 

What is scale?

Scale is a sucking insect that attacks many area trees and shrubs; but it’s especially fond of crape myrtles, hollies, live oak, pecan, euonymous, maple, boxwoods and fruit trees. Scale insects harm plants by inserting microscopic, sharp mouthparts into the leaves and trunk, then sucking out the fluids. If scale is present, you’ll often find them clustered along the stems and small branches. Scale can infest plants quickly and are difficult to kill once they mature.

How is scale treated?

In January through early February, when the juvenile crawlers of scale are active, treatments can often be most effective. Once scales matures, it develops a hard outer shell that can be difficult to penetrate with pesticides. We typically use natural dormant oil products to smother the young insects. Dormant oil is also an effective treatment for mealy bugs, mites, tent caterpillars, aphids and leafhoppers, which also overwinter in our landscapes. While dormant oil won’t harm pets, reptiles, birds and other wildlife, you’ll want to keep ponds containing fish covered if your shrubs and trees are being.

Timing is Everything

While horticultural dormant oils are often safe enough to apply on plants most of the year, there are optimal times to treat for certain pests. If scale has been a persistent problem in your landscape, then you may be waiting too long to treat for it. But getting a jump start on the season, and treating your shrubs with dormant oil in January, you can prevent many pest infestations that may cause a lot of damage later in the growing season.

If you have crape myrtles, hollies, live oak, pecan, euonymous, maple, boxwoods and fruit trees in your landscape, call us to schedule your dormant oil application bore it’s too late. Preventative maintenance is a great step in keeping your entire landscape healthy and beautiful!