Magnolia Scale - Ask Extension
I have magnolia scale. I've attached a photo of how they looked last spring, but they were the brown waxy this fall. I sprayed during the time the c...
Knowledgebase
Magnolia Scale #437673
Asked January 08, 2018, 6:19 PM EST
I have magnolia scale. I've attached a photo of how they looked last spring, but they were the brown waxy this fall. I sprayed during the time the crawlers came out, but I'm sure I didn't get everything directly sprayed due to foliage. I'm wondering (hoping) the recent ridiculously cold snap may kill many since I've heard emerald ash borers may die @ -30. Is there any hope they'll be killed off, or do I still need to poison again this spring? I don't like spraying due to the problems with bees......
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
Hi,
We can’t say if the cold will affect scale insects. The fact that they are protected from pesticides by the scales may offer some winter protection as well. Let’s hope not!
It is important to treat scale when the crawlers are active, as you did, and insecticide soaps and horticultural oils can be effective and not so damaging as pesticides.
I am attaching links to additional information about magnolia scale. They discuss treatment options: https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef431
http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/insects/find/scales/