COTTONY MAPLE SCALE, LECANIUM SCALE, MAGNOLIA SCALE

These soft scales (the ones that drip sap all over) can be controlled by using consumer use products containing imidacloprid.  

Unfortunately, it takes weeks for this product to make its way up to the branches where the scales reside.  So this is a good "preventive" measure, but not a quick treatment method.

We can "treat" these scale infestations with quick acting trunk or soil applied products and then the homeowner can maintain that control by applying imidacloprid to the soil around the tree in late fall to control the scales the next year.  If it is applied each year in the fall in adequate dosage, control can be maintained.  One thing to keep in mind is that larger trees require the high dosage of the product.