Oh yes, very familiar with this problem.

Is this on a golden variegated eunonymus? They are magnets for scale. First of all, cut out as much of the investation as you can. This shrub can take it a hard pruning, so no worries there. Spray with horticultural oil thoroughly. Then, as the branches grow back, thin some of the branches to encourage air circulation. You may need to spray again w/ hort oil next Spring.

We finally just removed one of these shrubs. Not only did we battle scale with it, but the deer liked to chew on it, so between the scale and the deer, it always looked bad.

Okay, thanks. But, how about using Bayers Tree and Shrub drench instead of the oil since those scales don't seem bothered by anything once they set up with that protective cover over them?

I have no experience with using Bayers T&S drench and don't know how effective it would be for scale. Horticultural oil is effective and lower impact on the environment. If you do decide to use the drench, I'd like to hear your results.

I can attest that hort oil works very well on scale, mature or not. Just a matter of spraying in 2 or 3 week intervals til you get all of the. yes, they have a protective cover but it doesn't help when you smother them with oil- which is what you're doing. Nothing can develop an immunity to that.

Okay, I'll try that too. Probably could make some up at home.

No- you want to buy the special very lightweight oil that won't suffocate your plants. You can't just use any old oil. It isn't that expensive and it keeps forever. Look for the type that can be diluted to be dormant spray or summer spray- doubly versatile. Usually called horticultural oil. You only mix from 1 to 5 TBSp to a gallon, depending on the app rate , plant and time of year (the label should have a chart), so it is very dilute. It's not at all oily when you spray it. But it's enough to smother insects. You also can't spray when it gets too hot (above 85, i think) or it will damage foliage. Good stuff to have in your arsenal. You can mix ferts or other things with it and it doesn't affect the actions of the oil. Plus, it's safe on edibles. It is a petroleum product, but i guess the dilution is so great it's not a big deal.

Okay, great. Thanks Tammy and others.