Soft Scale

What it looks like

Small bumps on stems and leaves with a waxy coating that's actually attached to the insect's body (you can't pick the wax off separately). Look for sticky honeydew on leaves and branches, often followed by black sooty mold growth.

Often mistaken for: Armored scale (though armored scale wax isn't attached to the insect body) or sooty mold from other honeydew-producing pests

When it shows up in the Triangle

Young crawlers show up in spring here in the Triangle, with a second round sometimes appearing in summer or fall.

Where you’ll see it

Holly, euonymus, magnolia, and many other woody landscape shrubs and trees.

What you can do

• Prune out branches with heavy scale buildup
• Keep plants healthy and avoid unnecessary stress (proper watering, mulching)
• Encourage natural predators like lady beetles that feed on scale
• Watch for early signs of honeydew or sooty mold and inspect new growth in spring