Question
I got nervous when I read that Scale should be treated in May and June, its now October and I've had three beautiful Euonymous growing up the back wall of our home,, I was walking past it one day and notice a hugh hole in one of the shrubs and it was just dying off, all within a few days, I was not a happy lady, I was told that it was silly for me to treat it as it was so far gone so I chopped down three of them,, today as I was walking around my home isn't it happening to three other euonymous shrubs,, I have chopped down two of them and decided I didn't want to chop the third one,,I felt I should read more, it is a  bit further down the garden but does it effect other shrubs such as Spirea and climbing rose bush all around this third Euonymous..and should I try and treat it, I just don't want it to spread to my whole garden, thanks for your help..Sherrie

Answer
Sherrie:
In my part of the world, this euonymous scale insect is the worst insect pest on this shrub. It is easy to see on the plant. Best to check on the UNDERSIDE of the leaf first. That is the best way to find it. Be sure to look deep into the shrub- not just on the outside few inches of the stem/leaves.  Google enonymous scale in "Google Images" on your computer to see exactly what it looks like. As far as I know, the same scale does not go to rose and spirea, but there are a bunch of different scale insects out there- so give these plants a good look over- again check those lower surfaces!  If you find something suspicious, snip off a twig w/leaves and carry it to your local nursery/garden center and get someone trained to check it out for you.

Enjoy and thanks for your email!!

Steve