Camellia Tea Scale and Barklice: Dual Pest Problem Requires Targeted Treatment

Two Insects, One Solution for the Scale

Your camellia has barklice (harmless webbing on bark) and tea scale (the real killer, causing leaf drop). Tea scale attaches to leaf undersides, sucking sap and causing yellow mottling on top.

Effective Tea Scale Control

1. Spray horticultural oil or neem oil thoroughly on leaf undersides, stems, and trunk.
2. Repeat 3 times per year: April, June, and January.
3. Modern horticultural oils are safe for summer use—unlike old dormant oils.

Barklice need no treatment; they clean bark crevices. Focus all efforts on the scale. Systemic imidacloprid as a soil drench in spring adds extra protection.