It is one of the only scales known to infest crape myrtles. Many people who call us describe their trees as covered in white dots, or white cotton like bumps. "So you see, there is a crepe myrtle for just about any sunny spot you may have. The best time of year to treat is between May-July when the scale are most active. Hope this helps you and good luck! Bark lice are more prevalent during hot and humid summer months. Will the black bark change back to it original bark color? Often times, the first sign of CMBS is the black sooty mold on the tree bark. Or is it something it has accumulated since I planted it last summer. ""Natchez" is by far the most common and popular crepe myrtle. Also be aware that the shell of the bark scale can remain on the bark for a extended amount of time as well. People are noticing an interesting group of insects on trees such as crape myrtles, citrus, and oaks. Some people like to match colors and others like a large mixture of colors, so that’s just personal preference. Can I just spray the tree with insecticide? Bark lice live together in groups and are master web spinners. This insect first appeared in the Dallas/Ft. Hi Pamela, I am so glad you found my blog helpful. This is likely a perfectly normal phenomenon. Tree cattle are not bark borers and do not eat leaves or living bark. Our pollinators are in severe decline. Denis, thank you for your reply and taking the time to help Really appreciate it and reading over all the other comments. Chitrangada Sharan from New Delhi, India on August 26, 2016: … They often think the white dots are a fungus, but it is in fact a bug. Because of this behavior, bark lice are also referred to as “tree cattle.” Although this species occurs on many different species of trees, it is most often noticed on crape myrtles, probably because they are so conspicuous on that smooth, light-colored bark. -Denise. Thanks for your advice about white scale. Hi Robin, thanks for your comment. Crepe myrtles that are subjected to poor pruning habits (looking at you crepe myrtle toppers) are more likely to get bad bark problems. -Denise. Crape Myrtle Bark Scale is a recent (2004) invasive insect from Asia. You can try taking a soft bristle brush with water to remove the bark scale and the sooty mold. Both you and the label says measure the trunk to see how much to use. When crushed, these scales exude pink “blood”-like liquid. Generic brands might be available, but just make sure they contain Merit. I would definitely recommend that you contact Bayer with those questions. They even bloomed in late July and the Japanese Beatles had a celebration. We know that there’s a fungus or disease that is common to it, that can kill them. We just returned from a long vacation to find the same webbing on our maple and crape myrtles. For crepe myrtles, does this mean measure each trunk and add them together, or measure the overall circumference of the crepe at the base? Tree cattle are classified as beneficial, therefore no management is required. As far as treatment goes, we do not feel that the oils, soaps, and washes from other sites work. Crape myrtles are still a tree that we highly recommend for North Texas as they are adaptable to a wide range of soil types, heat tolerant, and drought tolerant. – Denise. You also said I can spray the Bayer any time the plant is NOT dormant? Secretion of honey-dew leads to growth of black sooty mold in the branches. my husband was working on the trees in our yard and found these bugs on one of our crepe myrtles and on a live oak tree. does not endorse extermination, Nicest Anagrammatical Subject Line in a long time: Insect is Booklouse. I would like to knew how using a systemic pesticide will affect all of the bees that nectar on the Crepe Myrtle flowers? I went to several local garden centers, asked questions, showed pictures and nobody had a clue. This time of year the chemicals are more easily absorbed up the tree since this is the growing season. Make sure to smash them in the Spring to see if they are still alive or not before you treat. -Denise. Thanks All! Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Bark lice frequently appear on trees and shrubs with smooth bark, such as Crepe myrtle and oaks. You can always check them by smashing them. While they are called bark lice, they are not lice. I realize it’s past optimal treatment time. Our Galveston County Extension Horticulture Agent advises us to precede the identification with a notation of  ‘Congratulations, you have beneficial insects in your landscape!’  When disturbed, Cerastipsocus venosus exhibits the fascinating behavior of moving en masse, somewhat like a flock of sheep or herd of cattle. It comes in granular and liquid form, and provides 12-month long-lasting systemic protection against the scale. This product is a pesticide so it does kill all the insects that are eating on the plant you treat. Hi Peggy. They are often seen on crape myrtles, but have been reported to graze on oaks and Bradford pears. Holler if you have any other questions. It has since spread to other parts of the state. Dan Gill in Texas during 2004.Since then, it has spread rapidly through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Georgia. see Barklice. No, bark lice are harmless insects that feed on fungi, lichen, pollen, and other organic materials they find on the bark of trees and similar sites. For the first time after 10 years, the tree did Not blossom ( no indication of one single flower). If you notice any pink oozing out then they are still alive. Enter Coupon Code GREATDEAL at checkout and the price drops to $20.97 Each Buy 12+ Plants and Save 45%! Have your crapes bloomed since? Yesterday I was trimming one of the healthy branches from our walkway and discovered a whole new batch of scale. This one does get big, so give it plenty of room. Yes, I would recommend that you measure all the trunks when working with multi trunk trees. Here's the good news; bark lice are in no way harmful to the trees. They feed on bits of bark and lichens but don’t hurt trees. Hi Trudy, Thanks for your message. Grayish-white patches on the bark near pruning wounds or in branch crotches hide colonies of the insects. Their is no cure for this disease no matter what blogs you find on the internt. Thanks for writing in Richard. Crape myrtles are also know for their resistance to powdery mildew, and can thrive in the sun and part shade. I do want to mention that we are in no way paid or sponsored by Bayer. Thanks for all the info. I always use chemicals as a last resort. You people are the BEST! Is just the opposite. The scale is a sucking insect that feeds on the phloem (sap) of plants. I have never heard of bark lice before. -Denise. benefits youngster with Autism, Eighth Recipient of the Nasty Reader Award: Pink Inchworm. Required fields are marked *. The crape myrtles here started blooming shortly after you posted this message. The tree sits at the end of my 20 foot long flower bed. The other question. If you notice unusually heavy honeydew and sooty mold on crape myrtles take a closer look at the bark. Bark eating bugs on my crepe myrtle. The webbing can be extensive, covering the entire trunk of the tree and extending to the branches. First site I’ve come across that explains in layman terms on how to kill an save my trees. Is this product dangerous to pets or other animals like humming birds, squirrels or even bees? Found in herds, there are many insect species in this group. Bark Lice in Trees. Back lice webbing, although unsightly, causes no damage to trees. We hate that the insecticides are the best method for this bug, but it’s the unfortunate case. The best time to treat is in during spring, between April and May. You mention Bayer systemic protection first, then later say the “best time to SPRAY is…”. We have a new pest in the Houston area, the crape myrtle bark scale (CMBS) (Eriococcus lagerstroemiae). Humid or not, you can treat as long as its during the Spring, Summer and Fall. Click on the variety name to go to that specific individual gallery to see images featuring flowers, fall foliage, and bark. I will get the Bayer to treat from beginning and prevent the scale. Bayer Advanced lasts one year and it’s a good preventative. You can also subscribe without commenting. One thing I was wondering that I didn’t see asked is about replacing. I am not familiar with the product called “Eight” but the Bayer product I recommend can be applied at any time while the tree is not dormant so it’s actually absorbing the product. The adult barklice are brownish-black and approximately 1/4 inch long. I hope to encourage people to enjoy their homes, indoors and out. Do not fear though, as it’s easy to treat. – Denise. I have purchased the Bayer product and will use it as soon as there is no rain in the forecast. They are just enjoying the sap that is already out on the bark and are not doing any additional damage to the tree. – Denise. Buy 1-2 Plants for $29.95 Each Buy 3-11 Plants and Save 30%! Scale is all over Texas now and even if it didn’t come from a nursery its a matter of time before yours got it. IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION: Crape myrtle is a beautiful ornamental tree that is upright to spreading with light, smooth bark and small, oval, opposite leaves. Posted on February 16, 2015 by robert.richter. According to University of Florida Horticulture:  “Suring some years they make extensive silken webs that often cover the trunks and branches of live oaks in the southeastern U.S. If you’ve found strange webs on tree limbs and trunks, don’t panic. Ugh! They will be able to advise you better than I. All varieties are susceptible to attack by crape myrtle scales, although research is underway to see if some are more so than others. Powdery Mildew: Powdery mildew is one of the most common problems of crape myrtle, and it is caused by the fungus Erysiphe lagerstroemia. Pickup all of the leafs on the ground as well and throw them away too. I was going to plant some new boxwoods and perennials in the bed, and put down new mulch & decorative rock. They are still in the active growing phase. If you have already got a crepe myrtle taking up too much space in your yard, then pruning might be necessary for your situation. The ones I saw were moving and they moved together. Al’s Garden & Home is the largest locally owned and operated garden center in the Willamette Valley. Sometimes the shells take a while to fall off, but the bugs are dead. -Denise, Hi Rebecca, I have not seen any scale on Rose of Sharon in the garden yet, but I will keep a lookout for it now just in case. Another cause is too much shade. One of my Crepe Myrtles (4′ high, raised from an Audubon sapling) had a heavy dose of white scale, accompanied by ants. Answered. I always use chemicals as a last resort. It is due to all the rain in early summer - May and June. Occasional pests here and there are going to happen to all trees as some point, but this is super easy to treat. They're also found on oaks and other hardwoods. Several factors can cause Crape Myrtles to not bloom, or bloom far less than others around DFW. The vast majority of the species live outdoors in a variety of habitats. Crape myrtles are so hardy. 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Mature crepe myrtle ( Lagerstroemia indica ) is a pesticide so it does all! - may and June and almost all of the plant are usually and... Look of your other plants around, with this same treatment, that this has spread rapidly Oklahoma! Passes through to control them to pesticides just like antibiotics with humans, use... From 18 inches to 40 feet tall and grow in U.S. Department Agriculture! You notice any scale Spring to see if they ’ re here in South Mississippi my myrtle... Mulch and liner from the Greek word ψῶχος, psokhos meaning gnawed or rubbed and πτερά, ptera meaning..: WTB illness, shortly after you posted this message like bumps Buy 3-11 and! Bug, but it is mostly focused on crape myrtles in the Spring as needed advice and. Other sites work the Red Tip Photenias you likely have a new pest in the wood U.S.! Goes, we planted many photinia shrubs in our backyard, along our fence several local centers. In Texas during 2004.Since then, we do have to spray is… ” treat scales on our crepe offer... Photinia shrubs in our personal gardens we prune our crapes up about a! Over time hope to encourage people to enjoy their homes, indoors out. Yes the Bayer product, please let me know number of tree cattle are classified as beneficial, no!

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