I'm not experienced with figs, but from what I can see, some of these have a spiral shape, suggesting snails? What are they like if you pull one off or even crush it? Do they ever move? The nearby pond could be encouraging snails, and there are lots of ways to eliminate them if this is the case. What city/usda zone are you in?

Rick in CT

I dont think it will hurt your tree, but I would just take a rag, soak it with alcohol, and wipe those things off. Scale is a problem with figs, but it's just ugly. Fig trees are tough.

That's scale?

It could be. Just wipe it off with alcohol. Not Jack Daniels!

Oh and then spray with Neem.

If that is in fact scale, I would suggest a dormant application of horticultural oil spray, according to directions, which will smother scales and nymphs.

Rapter, what ares do you live in?

Rick in CT

It's galloping scale, as in jillions!

Sprays work when the crawlers (new hatchlings) are out and about.

Likely too late in the season now.

That's why they call it a 'dormant spray'--lol.

I think an organic insecticidal soap might work at this stage, as long as both sides of the leaves can be soaked with it.

Oh my goodness. I am a big fan of organic gardening and always try organic methods first. But for that level of scale, I might go for systemic insecticides. Find out what kind of scale it is first (look up online) as different kinds of scale have different insecticides that work best.

DO NOT USE SYSTEMIC POISONS ON FOOD PLANTS.

Sorry for the caps, but that qualifies as the worst idea I've ever seen on GW/Houzz. Systemic poisons work because the plant itself becomes toxic. Don't think that because it's a bug poison that it can't do the same for you.

Even if it didn't kill you, it's likely it could increase the risk of cancer and/or other diseases. Those warnings on the side of the container--they're not fiction.

Do you realize the risk of childhood cancers in children increases considerably where broadleaf herbicides are used on the surrounding lawn?

--Rr

I am not getting into a back and forth argument, but for the record, I didn't suggest the guy (or gal) indiscriminately spray Agent Orange all over their backyard...

Several systemics are approved for homeowner use on fruit trees. They are labeled with how much to use, and how long one needs to wait before the fruit is ok to eat.

Scale can be very difficult to get rid of if a tree is truly infested. Bad scale infestations can lead to tree death.

If it comes to that, I'd rather ditch my fruit for a year (if necessary) than have my tree die.

Chemical insecticides can have their place when used in a targeted fashion for a certain purpose. If you would rather not use them, that is fine. No one is asking you to.

The modern systemics that you mention are new to me, so I'll have to go look them up. I tend to be 'old school', and thought you might be using a product intended for ornamentals, etc., which is what I'm more familiar with.

I've seen/heard of people using chemicals indiscriminatrly, not that I'm saying you would, but felt I needed to say something just because of the perceived risk.

At any rate, I hope you'll post your experience with the scale infestation, and let us know what happens.

Rick