Scale and Sooty Mold on Florida King Peach: Dormant Oil and Crawler Sprays

Diagnosis

White spots = scale insects. Black coating = sooty mold on honeydew. Green tissue under black confirms live bark.

Dormant oil (1-2%) in late winter (above 40°F) smothers overwintering females. Repeat after leaf drop if heavy.
Crawler sprays (malathion, carbaryl, permethrin, esfenvalerate) at ~May 1, July 1, Sept 1. Thorough coverage to runoff.
Pre-harvest intervals: Malathion 7d, carbaryl 3d, permethrin 14d.

Oil hits adults; sprays hit mobile crawlers. Combined approach breaks the cycle. Also controls aphids if present.

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