Non-Chemical Management
- Provide proper plant care. Healthy plants are more tolerant of insect damage.
- Prune and destroy localized infestations, when practical.
- Natural predators and parasites such as ladybird beetles, green lacewings, and parasitic wasps help control scale populations, but may not prevent damage in severe infestations. Avoid use of broad-spectrum insecticides which kill beneficial insects.
- Control honeydew-feeding ants which may protect scales from predators.
- Hand-wipe to help control minor infestations.
- By late April, begin monitoring for San Jose scale crawlers by using double-sided sticky tape.
Select non-chemical management options as your first choice!