Question
Hi I live in Wisconsin and was trimming my veriated dogwoods bushes and notice white sticky sacks between many of the branches of the bushes. They looked like large spider egg sacks but they were wet and sometimes 3 or 4 together on a branch or stretched between branches. There were hundreds among the bush but the bush appeared healthy. We've had a very wet spring and now the start of a very warm summer. This, I imagine, looks more like some kind of infestation. Could you help you identify this?

Thanks for your help.

Kurt Kampy

Answer
Hi Kurt

The plant has either spittle bugs, mealy bugs or scale insects.  Each of these can make a white powdery and sticky type covering over the feeding insect.  I would treat the plants with Bayer Advanced Tree and Shrub Insecticide, available at Home Depot.  The product is mixed with water and poured on the soil around the base of the plant.  It is taken up systemically and will kill the bugs within a week or two.  It also provides protection from reinfestation for up to a year.  This is good stuff and it can be used on many plants in the landscape.  I hope this cures the problem.  Good Luck.