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Scale Guide

Identify

Inspect

Treat

Prevent

What Do Scale Insects Look Like

Scale Insects in the United States

Scale insects are tiny pests that spread easily between plants and can cause significant damage if not treated. Their name originates from the protective, scale-like covering they develop during their adult stage, resembling fish scales or reptile skin. This guide will help you identify common types of scale insects and provide recommendations to eliminate them and prevent future infestations.

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Scale Characteristics

Size

Scale insects are very small, ranging in size from 1/16 of an inch to 3/8 of an inch across. Armored scales are typically between 1/32 and 1/16 of an inch, while soft scales are slightly larger, measuring 1/16 to 1/4 of an inch.

Shape

Adult female scale insects, often seen attached to plants, are usually oval or circular in shape. Many female scales lack mobility and remain in the same spot for their entire lives. Male scale insects, which are rarely observed, resemble tiny gnats and have some ability to move.

Color

The color of scale insects varies depending on their age and species. Most are brown or black, but certain species have a cottony white exterior.

Range

There are around 1,000 species of scale insects found across the United States. These pests are commonly seen on the trunks and twigs of plants or clinging to the undersides of leaves.

How to Check for Scale Insects

Inspecting for scale insects can be challenging—they are small, often hard to spot on plants, and may not cause visible damage immediately. This guide will help you identify where the most common types of scale insects tend to live and feed. For additional details about scale insect appearance, visit our identification guide.

Where to Look for Scale Pests

Scale insects attach themselves to favorable spots on their host plants, often remaining stationary for the rest of their lives. Female scale insects typically settle on the underside of twigs or branches, where they are shielded from predators and harsh weather. Some scale nymphs may migrate to leaves during the summer but return to twigs or branches before the leaves fall.

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Step1 Soft Scale Insects

Signs of Soft Scale Insects
Soft scale insects excrete sugary honeydew as they feed on the sap of twigs or branches, leading to the formation of black sooty mold in the surrounding area. If you notice these signs, inspect the undersides of leaves and branches to confirm the presence of soft scale insects.

Common Soft Scale Feeding Spots

  • Cottony Maple Leaf Scale: Found on leaves or branches of maple and dogwood trees.
  • Wax Scale: Found on stems of holly, cherry laurel, boxwood, and similar plants.
  • Tulip Tree Scale: Found on branches of tulip trees and magnolias.
  • Lecanium Scale: Found on branches and leaves of oaks, elms, maples, and other trees.
  • Crepe Myrtle Bark Scale: Found on branches and twigs of crepe myrtle plants, these scales have a bark- or felt-like appearance but behave like typical soft scale insects.

Step2 Armored Scale Insects

Signs of Armored Scale Insects
Armored scale insects feed by extracting plant fluids but do so in a more subtle way than soft scale insects. Their hard, protective shells blend with the bark of trees, making them harder to detect. Signs of infestation include drooping leaves or dying branches, often in plants already weakened by drought, damage, or poor root health.

Common Armored Scale Feeding Spots

  • Tea Scale: Found on the undersides of camellia and holly leaves.
  • Gloomy Scale: Found on the trunk or branches of red maple trees.
  • Euonymus Scale: Found on leaves and stems of Euonymus, holly, and camellia plants.
  • Obscure Scale: Found on the trunk and branches of hickory and oak trees.
  • Juniper Scale: Found on leaves and stems of juniper and cypress plants.

Do you suspect scale pests in your home or garden? Learn about treatment options in our How to Get Rid of Scale Insects Guide. Click the right arrow below to discover more!

Scale Insect Treatment

Scale insects are troublesome pests that can damage plants in residential and agricultural settings. Their resilience and small size make them difficult to detect and eliminate. Below, our experts have outlined effective methods to control scale insects and recommendations for the best products to use.

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Step1 Methods to Treat Scale Insects

Encourage Natural Predators

Attracting natural predators like lady beetles, soldier beetles, and specific wasps can help control scale insects naturally. Providing shelter, food sources, and introducing beneficial insects to your garden is a safe, eco-friendly way to combat scale infestations. Lady beetles and other scale-eating insects can also be purchased and released into infested areas for additional help.

Step2 Treat with Horticultural Oil

Horticultural oil sprays are effective at smothering scale insects. These sprays require thorough coverage of the host plant and may need multiple applications to eliminate scale pests at all life stages.

When using horticultural oils:

  • Mix the oil with water as directed on the label.
  • Ensure the product is safe for the specific plant being treated.
  • Apply when temperatures are below 85°F and avoid direct sunlight to prevent plant damage.
  • Morning or evening applications are ideal to protect beneficial insects, which are less active during these times.

Neem oil offers similar benefits, including hormonal disruption of some pests, and may be an alternative. Always check the product label or consult an expert for guidance.

Products we recommend for Step 2

Step3 Apply a Systemic Root Drench

Systemic insecticides, such as those containing acephate, imidacloprid, or dinotefuran, are highly effective against scale insects. These products are applied as a root drench and absorbed by the plant, killing pests that feed on it.

For heavy infestations, combine a foliar spray for quick results with a systemic root drench for long-term control. Foliar sprays act immediately, while systemic applications provide lasting protection.

Products we recommend for Step 3

Step4 Physical Removal with Alcohol

Scale insects can be manually removed using a cotton swab or sponge soaked in rubbing alcohol. The alcohol kills the insects on contact, making them easy to wipe off. Multiple treatments may be necessary to fully eradicate the infestation. Isolate infested plants to prevent further spread while treating.

Step5 Prune Infested Branches

Prune affected branches if the infestation is localized. Dispose of clippings immediately, keeping them away from healthy plants, and do not use them for compost.

If you have any questions about these methods or need assistance selecting the right treatment for your needs, call our experts at

Scale Insect Prevention

How to Keep Scale Insects Away from Your Plants

Nobody wants scale insects invading their yard, but what steps can you take to prevent them? Below are tips to make your garden and ornamental plants less appealing to these persistent pests.

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Preventative Tips for Scale Insects

Use an Insecticide Root Drench

Many scale insects have specific plants they prefer as hosts. If these plants are present in your yard, consider applying a systemic root drench with an insecticide. This treatment offers long-term protection by targeting scale insects that attempt to feed on treated plants.

Products we recommend for Step

Isolate Susceptible Plants

If possible, keep plants that are prone to scale infestations separate from others. This is particularly effective for potted plants and smaller ornamentals, as it reduces the likelihood of pests spreading from one plant to another.

For plants already affected by scale, prune and remove heavily infested branches or sections. Be sure to dispose of these clippings immediately and do not use them for compost to avoid reinfestation.

If you're unsure whether you have scale insects, check out our Scale Identification Guide for help with spotting and identifying these pests. Our Scale Inspection Guide provides detailed steps for examining your plants, and the How to Get Rid of Scale Insects page outlines effective treatment methods.

For additional questions or assistance with the products mentioned in this guide, contact our customer service team at

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