Scale Infestation Treatment
Notice those sticky spots and bumpy growths growing on your once-pristine plants? It’s not a strange new plant texture – it’s Scale insects, tiny sap-sucking invaders quietly wreaking havoc on your greenery. Left unchecked, these persistent pests can weaken your plants, stunt their growth, and even leave them vulnerable to disease. If you’re dealing with Scale insects in the areas of Chester, Montgomery, and Delaware County, including Northern Delaware, contact us today for Scale Infestation Treatment services.
Save Your Trees
from Scale Insects
Don’t let Scale insects weaken and/or kill trees and shrubs that you’ve invested time and money nurturing. There are two main types of Scale Insects: armored Scale and soft Scale. Armored Scale insert their piercing mouthparts deep into your plant’s tissue to extract precious nutrients. Soft Scale, on the other hand, use their piercing-sucking mouthparts to drain vital fluids from your plants’ phloem while secreting massive amounts of sticky honeydew. This honeydew coats your foliage and promotes the growth of unsightly black sooty mold, which may interfere with photosynthesis. This honeydew also attracts armies of ants that protect and spread these pests throughout your garden.
Local Scale Insects
White Prunicola Scale: An Armored Scale that feeds on the trunks and branches of trees and plants, including the Japanese Flowering Cherry, Lilac, and Privet. Infestations may cause yellowing or thinning foliage and reduce the vigor of host plants, while heavier infestations may cause dieback or kill the plant entirely.
Magnolia Scale: Magnolia Scale insects feed on plant sap and produce large amounts of sticky honeydew. Infested trees may suffer from leaf yellowing, branch dieback, and reduced growth.
Cottony Camellia Scale: A soft Scale insect that infests camellias, hollies, and other ornamental plants. Female Cottony Camellia Scale produce distinctive white, cottony egg sacs on the undersides of leaves. Plus, their feeding weakens plants, causes yellowing, and leads to honeydew and sooty mold buildup.
Elongate Hemlock: An armored Scale insect that attacks Hemlocks and other ornamental and forest trees. It feeds on the undersides of needles, causing yellowing, needle drop, and thinning of the tree’s canopy.
Gloomy Scale: An armored Scale insect that primarily infests Red Maples but can also be found on other hardwoods and plants like Elm, Sweetgum, and Tulip Poplar. Gloomy Scale attach to bark and twigs, sucking nutrients and causing branches to die back, canopies to thin, and bark to darken or appear warty.
Juniper and Minute Cypress: Armored insects that target Junipers, Arborvitae, and other conifers. They appear as tiny, white or grayish spots on needles and stems, and their feeding causes branch dieback and premature needle drop, which can disfigure or kill branches and, in severe cases, entire plants.
Eco-friendly and Safe Scale Tree Treatment
Our team of experts will assess the severity of the infestation and create a customized Scale Tree Treatment plan. Our approach ensures that both the visible Scale insects and any hidden larvae are eliminated. We also pay attention to natural enemies of Scale bugs, such as beneficial insects, to help keep the pest population under control naturally.
The organic treatments we use include an OMRI-approved horticultural oil, as well as Distance IGR, which disrupts the pest life cycle without posing any risk to people or pets. By combining these products with other integrated pest management techniques, we ensure your plants stay healthy without compromising safety.
Signs of a Scale Insect Infestation
Knowing the signs of a Scale insect infestation can save your trees from severe damage. Look for small, round, or oval bumps on the stems, leaves, or branches of your plants. These bumps can be brown, white, or even cottony, indicating the presence of adult-Scale insects. You might also notice a black, sooty mold on your plants, a byproduct of the honeydew produced by soft Scale bugs. Another sign to watch for is yellowing leaves or stunted growth. If your plants seem less vibrant or are dropping leaves prematurely, this could also be due to Scale insects. Regularly plant inspection, especially for those that are known host plants, can help you catch infestations early and take action before extensive damage is done.
What to Expect
Scale on Trees Treatment requires a strategic, thorough approach. Our Certified Arborists follow a proven process to eliminate scale insects while promoting long-term plant health. Here’s our process:
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Scale Insect identification
Our Certified Arborists begin by inspecting your trees and shrubs to assess the extent of the scale infestation. We identify the specific type of scale insect, such as White Prunicola Scale or Cottony Maple Scale, and evaluate plant health to create a customized treatment plan.
Treatment application
We apply eco-friendly and effective solutions, such as OMRI-approved horticultural oil, to eliminate both visible insects and hidden larvae. These treatments are designed to target soft and hard scales while preserving beneficial insects whenever possible.
Tree Pest Control Service Near You
We have extensive industry experience and specialized expertise to effectively address Scale insect problems. We offer a wide range of residential tree wellness services as well, including Deer Protection, Growth Regulations, Soil and Trunk Injections, and more. Deep Root Feeding, Trunk Injections, Soil Injections, and more. We proudly West Chester, PA, as well as Media, Pottstown, Phoenixville, Collegeville, Downingtown, Glen Mills, Malvern, PA, and Wilmington, DE.
Contact Rick’s Certified Arborists
Not sure how to control Scale insects? Contact us at Rick’s Certified Arborists and let our team of experts provide the professional Scale insect treatment your landscape or garden needs.
