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Reduce Crepe Myrtle insect issue #928268
Asked April 13, 2026, 2:27 PM EDT
My crepe Myrtle's have the bark scale insect. Davey Tree is going to treat them again. Is there anything non chemical that will help my trees ?could they have been over pruned? I did not prune at all this year. Is location ie dry soil making the issue worse? I have about 30. I am tempted to dig up the smaller afflicted trees and dispose of them in trash collection. Thanks!
Baltimore County Maryland
Expert Response
Hi Sue,
Unfortunately the crape myrtle bark scale plaguing Crape Myrtles in our area has multiple, overlapping generations each year. That makes them very difficult to control. There are beneficial insects that prey on them, like lady beetles. Perhaps adding in flowering plants that attract predatory insects would help keep them in check once you've got populations under control. Another option you might consider is replacing some of your Crape Myrtles with other less pest prone native plants, such as Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea), Fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus), American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana), or Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis).
Marie
