Treatment of Asian Scale

Asian scale is on the attack throughout Central Florida. It has been found in almost every county in Central Florida (see map). Now with increased publicity throughout Florida, more and more people are finding they have the pest and are looking for answers.

Some recommendations from Dave Witt in treating this problem:

Unlike the native magnolia scale this Asian import will go below ground and infest the root stock. You have 2 options, pull the plant (plus the soil that immediately surrounds it) and soak the entire thing in a solution of oil/soap, then insecticide of your choice (mine w/ be to add Orthene to another oil mix); remove and destroy (burn – no landfills) the foliage first. 2nd choice w/be ground-soak the entire area in and around the root zone including the entire plant; the orthene w/be more “environmentally friendly” for this than other systemic pesticides, it’ll break down quickly in the soil. The crawlers are below ground and inside the stem (any crevices/leaf bases, etc.). Removing the foliage reduces your target area and the plant should recover quicker. The scale can be wind blown to other plants, so any adjacent to any infestation should be treated accordingly. Have fun … and stay w/ oil treatments every 2 wks for a few months afterwards, especially for any valuable stuff. It’s been found recently in the top half of Brevard County, so it is moving north.

Natural Predators of Asian Scale to be introduced in Tampa:

It seems the USDA is now preparing to do something to help prevent a Sago Palm extinction in Central Florida. It seems Tampa is now considered officially to have an epidemic of Asian Scale and we will be getting some parasitic wasps from Asia that specifically eat Asian Scale. In fact these bugs are so efficient and eating most of the bugs off sagos that people in Asia do not see infestations of Asian scale as badly as we have seen here in Florida. Hillsborough County is expected to have 5 areas targeted for release of the wasps. Currently the extension agent for Hillsborough County is trying to determine the worst infestations are located and release the wasps at these locations. CFPACS members are assisting the Extension Service as possible and will be helping with observations as to the effectiveness of the wasps. Here is part of the official e-mail sent to horticultural professionals recently. If you can offer some information, you are invited to participate as well.

Since we first reported the situation in Tampa back in August 2001, the problem is getting worst. Reports of Asian Scale sightings are becoming common in almost central and south Florida towns. Areas just seeing the scale for the first time, just 6 months ago are now becoming so infested that its hard to find a Sago palm that is “not” covered with scale. Extremely persistent and difficult to get rid of. Many report that if you treat the sago with pesticides consistently enough, you can rid the plant of the scale, while others are insisting the bug has the ability to armor itself away from pesticides and keep coming back because you cant completely kill them off a plant once infested. Some will remain in armor or dormant like state and try again for life after treatment is relaxed.