When and where is this landscape ornamental pest the most prevalent?
Magnolia scale is extremely prevalent among all types of Magnolia trees - the Little Gem, Tiny Bear, Southern Magnolia, and even the Japanese Magnolia. There is no specific season they are more common, although they do go dormant in the winter. Having a Magnolia tree in your Gainesville lawn almost assures at some point an infestation of scale - however, a good Ornamental Pest Control plan will keep this from happening.
How can I identify this as the problem in my lawn or landscape?
If you regularly inspect your Magnolia branches for little bumps on the branches, which is what scales seem like, you will catch them before a bigger infestation occurs. If you already have a large infestation, you will notice a black silt, commonly called ‘black sooty mold,’ (See photo) on the tops of the leaves and surrounding plants. Although many people mistake this for the lawn pest, this is simply the excretion from the scale that is damaging your Magnolia.
How does it occur and how can I prevent it?
The scales spread via the wind, so the only way to prevent them is to regularly treat your Magnolias with a strong horticultural oil or systemic insecticide.
What can I do to resolve the issue?
If you have an infestation of Magnolia scale in your Gainesville lawn, treating with a combination of systemic and topical insecticides labeled for scale is really the only answer. Our ornamental pest control program can resolve this issue for you.
If we can help you prevent Gainesville lawn pests, please give our office a call at (352) 378-5296, or email us at info@themasterslawncare.com.