Anonymous
Post 05/06/2026 11:28     Subject: crepe myrtle bark scale
I used it as an excuse to get rid of the messy trees in our yard and replaced it with a native tree.
Anonymous
Post 05/05/2026 16:08     Subject: crepe myrtle bark scale
Like others have said, we used the local Bartlett franchise to treat ours - it took several treatments over about 18 months but they look great now. No more nasty black scale and turning the leaves black as well.
Anonymous
Post 05/04/2026 16:18     Subject: crepe myrtle bark scale
I used a product called Safari i also bought on Amazon. You need to do the soil drench at a fairly specific time of year (ie now) to kill the larvae (or whatever) or it is ineffective. We didn't do anything to clean the tree; it naturally exfoliates its bark which eliminated most of the visual impact.

I've done this for 3 years In a row and trees look great. They were nasty before.
Anonymous
Post 05/04/2026 10:01     Subject: crepe myrtle bark scale
Anonymous wrote:We did a soil drench in March and scrubbed off the scale with warm, soapy water in December. Neem oil doesn’t do much, unfortunately. Pay attention during the hot, dry months when plants are stressed. Give plenty of water, and use manual removal of scale if needed. It can take a fully growing season or two to get it under control. If your neighbors aren’t also working to control scale, it may return.


Yes, the soil drench seems to work. I got one from Amazon. I don't love using chemicals, but sometimes you need to.

https://www.amazon.com/Bonide-Annual-Insect-Control-Gallon/dp/B002ITL19A/ref=sr_1_6?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.w9QiFEtVJ7yQ6z6cLcTWEfVHknt1VOlNu7HkV117h3YsETWS6025sKWzjwXJR0O3Fe4_3UHARItHvoOfnehy1dAypu3R1s5Miak4rNVNXuk4L-hya_8T-dU1TPt_xNpX5ToY64qUtvuPmzsaT_eDzS2EwxFS1vV5vuAn5re6MNg9NeVkPqlpPnb86dRwDbvkR9JKoZS0SXNmIVgJ5i2GVCE2PhFyJm75uQVdaOerUJRaWYQCDNvR2yKLzW0E0vn4vPkpLyayMoHeD8fqDlh-xOxnk4WeD1EhEE0EQWVEGFg.GYQHoThWmVwixBIbIhy0HWNIrCRajCIS9_nMSXfsI9M&dib_tag=se&keywords=soil%2Bdrench&qid=1777903261&sr=8-6&th=1
Anonymous
Post 05/04/2026 09:59     Subject: crepe myrtle bark scale
We did a soil drench in March and scrubbed off the scale with warm, soapy water in December. Neem oil doesn’t do much, unfortunately. Pay attention during the hot, dry months when plants are stressed. Give plenty of water, and use manual removal of scale if needed. It can take a fully growing season or two to get it under control. If your neighbors aren’t also working to control scale, it may return.
Anonymous
Post 05/03/2026 23:25     Subject: crepe myrtle bark scale
I scrubbed off the scale I could reach with soap and water and Bartlett has been treating our CMs. It has helped.
Anonymous
Post 04/23/2026 21:12     Subject: crepe myrtle bark scale
Anonymous wrote:What can be done about this? Does anything really work?I have 3 big mature trees and dont want to lose them!

We had this a few years ago. Noticed it early. Spraying the scale off with a hose actually helped significantly; but I also got something - sorry I don't recall what it was - that you can pour around the base of the tree. Try searching online. haven't had any return of scale so far.
Anonymous
Post 04/13/2026 16:59     Subject: crepe myrtle bark scale
Give it a few years.
Anonymous
Post 04/13/2026 16:45     Subject: crepe myrtle bark scale
We’ve cut ours way back and they come back nicely.
Anonymous
Post 04/13/2026 16:40     Subject: crepe myrtle bark scale
My lawn company did some treatments and mine are healthy again.
Anonymous
Post 04/13/2026 07:01     Subject: Re:crepe myrtle bark scale
We hired Davey Trees to address scale on a 29 year old crape myrtle and they saved the tree. It looks great now.
Anonymous
Post 04/12/2026 14:48     Subject: crepe myrtle bark scale
What can be done about this? Does anything really work?I have 3 big mature trees and dont want to lose them!