Black Pineleaf Scale Treatment

Step 1: Identify your pest

Identify the pest and tolerance threshold. One scale every couple of inches of needle is not that bad. Starting at about 4 scales per inch, needle growth becomes stunted and the appearance and vigor of the trees is increasingly affected.. 20+scales per inch have the potential to kill the tree.

 

Step 2: Buy appropriate material

ALWAYS READ PESTICIDE LABELS FROM FRONT TO BACK FOR ALL PERTINENT INFORMATION AND SAFTEY REQUIREMENTS

  • Dinotefuran One quart of Zylam mixed with three quarts of water makes one gallon of solution. Note: This is a neonicotinoid. If used incorrectly and against label instructions this pesticide has been reported to be dangerous to bees.  Neonics are great tools for responsible hands. Not unlike a wrench or a hammer, which if used incorrectly could also kill bees.

  • Pentrabark (3 oz. per gallon of solution)

  • Two gallon sprayer

  • Nitril Gloves

  • Safety Glasses

  • Long sleeve shirt and long pants

  • Shoes and socks

  • Soaker hose 

NOTE: You can also get great control of scale during their crawler stage in June with a 1-2% solution of mineral oil and water applied directly to the infested needles if you can access the foliage with your sprayer equipment. This is easiest on little trees unless you have a bucket truck. Use 1% solution if temperature are going to exceed 75 degrees to avoid burning the needles. 

Step 3: Timing

Best uptake happens three to four days after a good rain, on breezy days with temperatures from 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit. Studies suggest the best time of year for treatment is in May or June. I have had success treating Pines after supplemental irrigation with soaker hoses. Pressure, output, and root location will vary, so please consult an irrigation specialist for help setting up your system.

Step 4: Do no harm

LOOK FOR NEARBY FLOWERING PLANTS THAT COULD BE IN THE PATH OF MATERIAL DRIFT. THIS PRODUCT CAN BE HAZARDOUS TO HONEY BEES IF MATERIAL IS ALLOWED TO SETTLE ON FLOWERS OR OTHER BEE FORAGING SITES. AVOID TREATING THOSE TREES OR SET UP A BARRIER TO PROTECT NEARBY FLOWERS. This is bark applied systemic insecticide. If applied correctly, there is NO RISK TO BEES.

Step 5: Treat

Spray lowest 4 feet of trunk on trees with solution (One quart of Dinotefuran and 6 oz of Pentra Bark to 1.75 gallons of water).

Step 6: Repeat Step 3

LIMITATIONS: DO NOT EXCEED 5 GALLONS OF MIXED SOLUTION PER ACRE PER YEAR. IF NECESSARY, ALTERNATE TREATMENTS ACCORDING TO SEVERITY OF OUTBREAK. DO NOT APPLY WHEN WIND OR OTHER CONDITIONS WILL MOVE SPRAY PARTICLES IN CONTACT WITH SURFACE WATER OR PLANTS IN FLOWER.