is this juniper scale? - Ask Extension
wondering if this looks like juniper scale on our approx 30 year old shrub? Our neighbor has similar dieback on his 5 yr old juniper shrubs.
If ...
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is this juniper scale? #792161
Asked May 23, 2022, 9:53 AM EDT
wondering if this looks like juniper scale on our approx 30 year old shrub? Our neighbor has similar dieback on his 5 yr old juniper shrubs.
If juniper scale, do you recommend treating w 2% oil spray? If so, wait a bit longer til green needles are fully developed? thanks!
Washtenaw County Michigan
Expert Response
Unfortunately I am unable to see if your jumipers are infected with juniper scale. There are other things that can cause your junipers to turn brown. You will need a hand lens or fairly strong magnifying glass to find the scale insects. The crawler stage typically emerges sometime in June, so it might be a little early to find them now. But see if you can find any. The links below will help you know what to look for.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/juniper_scale_crawlers_are_active_in_michigan
https://bygl.osu.edu/node/697
Juniper shrubs can be sprayed for juniper scale in the first two weeks after crawler emergence, which will be sometime in June for most people. Horticultural oils work very well for armored scales like juniper scale when they are applied as a crawler spray. Choose a well known horticultural oil that can be used all summer long. Mix the oil in water at a 2 percent concentration and spray the junipers thoroughly for good coverage. One spray per year should keep juniper scale under control.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/juniper_scale_crawlers_are_active_in_michigan
https://bygl.osu.edu/node/697
Juniper shrubs can be sprayed for juniper scale in the first two weeks after crawler emergence, which will be sometime in June for most people. Horticultural oils work very well for armored scales like juniper scale when they are applied as a crawler spray. Choose a well known horticultural oil that can be used all summer long. Mix the oil in water at a 2 percent concentration and spray the junipers thoroughly for good coverage. One spray per year should keep juniper scale under control.
