Juniper pest ID

[Stormwater]

I have a juniper with slow failing health, seems to be loosing branches over the last year.
It keeps getting these little white things. I’ve yet to see any actual insects. Here is an image of the branch and a close up of one. Any thoughts? I’m interested in any organic approaches to control. Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

 

[Kodama]

Hmmm...2nd pic looks like scale? If so maybe Neem oil would work?

 

[Dav4]

Definitely scale... but in my experience, scale infestations on junipers are usually preceded by general loss of vigor. Treating the scale will help, but you probably need to evaluate your horticulture with this tree and see if something- soil, watering, sun exposure/location, etc.,- can be improved.

 

[Stormwater]

Definitely scale... but in my experience, scale infestations on junipers are usually preceded by general loss of vigor. Treating the scale will help, but you probably need to evaluate your horticulture with this tree and see if something- soil, watering, sun exposure/location, etc.,- can be improved.

Definitely scale... but in my experience, scale infestations on junipers are usually preceded by general loss of vigor. Treating the scale will help, but you probably need to evaluate your horticulture with this tree and see if something- soil, watering, sun exposure/location, etc.,- can be improved.

ya, I’m thinking the issue is when I went away last year. My “plant waterer” didn’t do well. Lost seven trees....

Roots seem ok now. Will continue to neem them up. Anyone know how many days between applications?

 

[Japonicus]

Roots seem ok now. Will continue to neem them up.

??? Neem the roots? The neem oil is to control the insects on the foliage.

how many days between applications?

7 days for serious infestations, otherwise 7-14 day interval.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

Neem didn't remove my juniper scale, I had to go systemic for the first time. And boy did it kill them good!

Aphids, scale and spider mites prefer healthy plants, because healthy plants provide the best meals - if you're partially immobile, then it's evolutionary a wise move to pick plants you can build a long lasting colony on instead of the ones on the brink of death. In general, the bugs usually don't become a problem until the plant is starting to get weaker and forces us to investigate and take action. This leads to the common and quite understandable misconception that insects prefer weaker plants.

 

[bwaynef]

If its particularly bad, you can also physically remove them w/ a pin/needle ...though admittedly that's a bit tedious.

 

[sorce]

I neemed mine recently and they are both growing well already.

I was quite surprised at it's effectiveness.

An application one rainy Morning then once more a couple rainy afternoons later.

Sorce

 

[Stormwater]

??? Neem the roots? The neem oil is to control the insects on the foliage.

7 days for serious infestations, otherwise 7-14 day interval.

My poor writing skills, meant the foliage not roots. I checked out the roots. , seems ok

 

[AJL]

If its particularly bad, you can also physically remove them w/ a pin/needle ...though admittedly that's a bit tedious.

Do you know how small Juniper scale is!!!? Trysoaking the plant in washing up liquid , it worked well for me

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Neem should work.

If you must go organic, there are abamectin formulations that might list scale. Read the pesticide labels to make sure the pest is listed. Abamectin is a fermentation product.

There are organic Pyrethrum formulations that may work, again read labels to make sure scale and adelgids are listed.

Otherwise I would reach for the heavy duty imidaproclid formulations, there are products from Bayer and other manufacturers. But these chemicals are not organic, but they do work.

 

[PA_Penjing]

Should be noted that neem won't kill an armored scale insect until the eggs hatch into "the crawler stage" then they can be killed with neem oil. I'm not an expert on MD climate but you should keep an eye out for crawlers around June 1st. The crawlers (if not killed with neem oil) will suck the sap and slowly build up the scale armor where they will sit protected until next spring when the cycle begins again

 

[AJL]

RHS information gives more detailed advice here ; https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=917

 

[Stormwater]

Thanks all