45-Year Maple with Cottony Scale: Soil Drench Imidacloprid

Large old maple has white cottony spots on lower branches, sticky deck. Cottony scale or aphids.

Diagnosis

• Aphids move when touched; scale don’t.
• Both suck sap → honeydew → sticky/sooty mold.

Treatment

• Soil-applied imidacloprid (Bayer Advanced Tree & Shrub Insect Control). Drench root zone. Works for both. Full season control. 2–3 weeks to canopy.

Resource

Bayer product: link

Bottom Line

Drench imidacloprid. Covers aphids and scale. Safe for large trees.