How to combat scale bugs in your yard – expert advice to manage these sap-sucking pests

Scale bugs, or scale insects, are small sap-sucking pests that can be a problem in the garden during the spring and summer months. When your plants are thriving, these tiny pests can feast on lush and fresh growth. They can be tolerated in small quantities, but for bigger, problem infestations there are methods and ways to combat scale bugs.

While there are many different types of scale bugs, and they can vary in appearance, the common denominator is that they are covered by an outer waxy shell or casing that looks like scales, as seen in the images here. Mealybugs, for example, are a type of scale bug with a scale-like white covering. This protective adaption makes all scale bugs resistant to some pest control methods.

Identifying and learning to combat scale bugs can be tricky, particularly when these small pests can often be no bigger than 1 to 5mm in size. Helpfully, however, infestations will often appear as clusters on leaves and stems, making them easier to spot. As with any pests, the sooner you identify the problem, the sooner you can prevent it from spreading. Here, a pest control expert reveals how best to combat scale bug infestations in the yard, including the best natural pest control methods to try.

How to combat scale bugs

Regularly inspecting your plants for signs of pest infestation is important. While it might seem like an extra job in the yard when there is already lots of weeding, watering and feeding to be getting on with, adding this to your summer gardening checklist is important. Early detection is key to preventing and managing pests. Keep an eye out for yellowing and wilting foliage or stems, or collections of bugs on plants that should be easy to spot. If you see an infestation, take action with our three expert-approved steps below.

1. Pruning and manual removal

'For smaller scale bug outbreaks, you can manually remove these pests using a cotton swab dipped in diluted rubbing alcohol,' says Reese Robbins, pest expert and founder of Just Pure Gardening. 'Gently dab each bug, taking your time to check under leaves and in tricky places to find the entire colony.'

If you have a larger infestation, Reese recommends 'putting some newspapers around the base of the plant and using a soft brush to scrub the bugs off the leaves and stem. This is effective when dealing with smooth-leaved plants where scale bugs can be easily dislodged.'

If significant damage has been done, it is a good idea to prune and dispose of heavily infested branches and stems. Ensure that you use clean and sharp pruning shears and that your garden tools are sterilized before and after use. Pruning shears are available to buy online from Amazon.

'Dispose of pruned material away from your garden,' Reese adds, 'as this will prevent the spread of scale bugs to other plants in the yard.'

Reese L. Robbins

Reese L. Robbins is the founder of Just Pure Gardening, a site full of fruit and vegetable growing guides, garden ideas, and garden product reviews.

2. Organic treatment

'For severe scale bug attacks, opt for an organic treatment,' Reese says. 'Apply horticultural oils, such as neem oil to affected plants. While this will kill the scale bugs, it will do little harm to your plants or other wildlife.' Neem oil is available to order from Amazon.

These oils suffocate the scale bugs by coating their bodies, helping to stop scale bug infestations from spreading. 'Ensure thorough coverage,' Reese adds, 'spraying the undersides of leaves and along stems, as scale bugs can hide in crevices.'

For significant outbreaks, you may need to repeat applications of neem oil spray, but generally, the pests will disappear after one or two uses.

3. Encourage natural predators

'Attracting beneficial insects such as ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps can help to combat scale bugs as these are natural predators,' Reese says. Learning how to attract ladybugs to your yard is one way that many gardeners agree can successfully combat challenging pests in the yard. Live ladybugs are available to order online from Amazon.

Planting a diverse array of native plants, such as native dogwood trees, will 'create a rich and biodiverse habitat that supports these beneficial insects, providing them with shelter and food sources throughout the growing season,' Reese continues.

'Attracting these insects will help keep scale populations under control throughout the growing season, and this natural approach to pest control will not harm wildlife.'

FAQs

How long does neem oil take to kill scale bugs?

Within 2-3 days you should start to see a visible reduction in live pests. Be patient, neem oil is an effective organic treatment but can take up to one week to combat scale bugs. For severe outbreaks, you may need to spray affected plants two or three times.

Knowing the right approach to combat scale bugs will help to keep damage to a minimum in your garden. For more pest control information, see our guide on how to get rid of alder leaf beetles, and keep problem pests out of your yard this year.