These are a group of insects that are widespread and notoriously difficult to control. Most trees and shrubs are susceptible to attack from some sort of scale. The most common and obvious scale is the azalea bark scale. This insect appears as a white fuzzy object on the lower stems of azalea plants, somewhat resembling popcorn. This scale is extremely difficult to control as the white waxy covering over the insect prevents insecticides from coming into contact with the insect. We have had excellent success in managing this insect with modern techniques. Another very common scale is called euonymous scale, which attacks all of the euonymous genus as well as Pachysandra. This is a small gray to white, oblong insect that appears on the underside of leafs and coating the stems. The damage inflicted on the plant appears as yellow to white spots on the leaf and a general lack of vigor. This insect can wipe out entire Pachysandra and euonymous plantings. Our company has been successful managing these difficult and destructive insects.
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