Question
QUESTION: Hi Tracy,
I live in NJ. In the early fall Sept/Oct I found a plant AT A LOCAL GARDEN CENTER in the garbage. It was scrawny but had unusual spotted leaves and shaped like maple leaves. With a bit of nosing around online it is indeed a flowering maple. It has flourished in a sunny window inside and did have 1 flower. I noticed on the main branch there are "shiny bumps" multiple ones. bumps on top of bump running apprx 3 inches of the 24 inches and also some of the leaves nearby are "glazed" AS IF IT WAS SPRAYED W/ A SUGAR GLAZE.but not oily.HELP!! what is it? Did I do something wrong? The bumps look creepy.Please help, I have fallen in love with this plant!

ANSWER: Hi Maggie,
  It sounds like you have an infestation of scale insects.
Scale insects are black, brown or tan, somewhat flat, oval shaped insects that are covered by a hard shell. Adult scales are stationary. Immature scales (called crawlers) emerge from eggs deposited under the adult females protective shell. Once crawlers establish a feeding site, they begin to secrete the hardened covering over their body.
The sugary glaze you are finding is 'Honeydew'. 'Honeydew' is a thick, clear, sticky liquid that is produced by the insects as waste. Honeydew can be found on leaves and surfaces under and around the infested plant.

Adult Scale are a problem to control because their shell protects them from pesticides. Pesticides and soap sprays are only effective on the crawlers. If there are only a few Scales, they can be picked off by hand with a cotton swab or Q-Tip dipped in alcohol. A toothpick is often helpful getting adult scale off after using the swab with alcohol. Be sure to use lots of alcohol when you pick the adults off. Alcohol will kill the adults and the many, many eggs that are tucked under the adult's harden shell.
Check the plant every few days, picking off any scales you find. Scale are often found in crevices, folds and creases on the plant's leaves, stems and branches. By far the best way to control Scale is by using a systemic insecticide. In cases of a heavy Scale infestation, a systemic is the only effective means of control.

A systemic insecticide is a insecticide that works by getting absorbed into the plant and distributed throughout all parts the plant. When an insect feeds on the plant it is poisoned.
There are two forms of systemic insecticides, one is a granule that gets mixed into the soil and is taken up into the plant by the roots. This form of systemic takes time to take effect, often 5-10 days. The other form is spray systemics. This form of systemic is sprayed onto the plant's leaves and is absorbed into the plant. This form works like a spray insecticide, killing insects on contact (unfortunately it will only kill the scale crawlers, not the adults), then works as a systemic for lasting control.

When you have dealt with the Scale insects, be sure to clean the plant well with a damp cloth or a strong spray of water. It is important to clean all the honeydew off the plant. Honeydew attracts a mold called 'Sooty Mold'. 'Sooty Mold' is a black mold that looks like soot, and can often be found growing on honeydew.
If you are not going to use a systemic insecticide and hand pick off the scale, cleaning the plant with a strong spray of water will be helpful to not only clean off the honeydew but will also help to wash off crawlers and any eggs that might have been missed.


I hope this helps. If you have any questions or need additional information please don't hesitate to ask.
         Thanks
         Tracy






---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for answering. First...gross but nature goes both
ways. "pulling" them off I don't think is an option, they
are soo on top of each other and just thinking about
it....Anyway can I cut the branch off that is infested? and
the leaves that are coated should I clip them as to not
attract ants? Will this hurt the plant?  Thanking you in
advance.Maggie

Answer
Hi Maggie,
  Yes, you can prune off the most heavily infested branches and leaves. As long as you are not removing too much of the plant at one time it should be okay.


I hope this helps. If you have any questions or need additional information please don't hesitate to ask.
         Thanks
         Tracy