i go nuclear.. and use bayer systemic ...

one shot.. and you are done.. forever ...

however.. confirm the diagnosis ..

and if it just started.. and there are only a few.. suck it up and squish them with your fingers ..

usually.. by the time i notice the ants .. and the honeydew.. there is a major infestation ...

ken

Malathion. It may take two sprays.

No squishing of the white stuff...because that's the excrement!

Dax

Ken, Baryer systemic? Which one? There are several different bayer systemics.
Dax, any special way you use the malathion? Do you get straight malathion or is there a certain name to look for? Thanks guys.

I would first reach for light horticultural oil, like Sunspray, if they still market that. This can also be mixed with insecticidal soap for a fairly effective spray for scale and a bunch of other pests.

Then, if you feel you need heavier weaponry, the aforementioned Bayer systemic-the type with imidacloprid as the active ingredient-would be my next try. Malathion would also work, if you times it right to get the crawler stage of the scale. That's why I would first go with the systemic product-a much wider window of effectiveness.

+oM