Scale on Buford Hollies (Greensboro, NC): Late Season Strategy & Spring Restart

Scale Insects: Hard to Kill Once Armored

By post-Labor Day, crawlers have settled into armored adults. Sprays now have low penetration.

Current Actions

• Stop chemical sprays for this year.
• Keep pruned branches off (you did).
• New growth = good sign.

Spring 2020 Plan

1. Dormant oil spray** in late winter (before bud break) – smothers overwintering scales.
2. Crawler spray** in early summer (June) – Target mobile nymphs with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap. Timing is critical.
3. Monitor weekly** from May onward.