Identifying and Treating Euonymus Scale

Those tiny white dots covering your variegated euonymus are euonymus scale, a sap-sucking insect. Heavy infestations are notoriously difficult to control. The most effective approach starts with pruning away the majority of infested leaves and stems to physically remove the bulk of the population.

If the shrub is severely infested, replacement with a resistant alternative like holly may be wiser. For lighter cases, spray with horticultural oil now to suffocate immobile scales. Follow up with a systemic insecticide containing imidacloprid in March and June, and another horticultural oil application in September.