Cottony maple scale in Fenton can be a problem not just for the trees they infest but also for cars, patio furniture, or anything else that is under the tree the scale insect is feeding on.

Cottony maple scale causes damage by feeding on the sap of a tree. A particularly troublesome side effect that Fenton homeowners experience is caused by the honeydew that the scale insect exudes from its body as it feeds on a tree. The honeydew drops onto anything under the tree and a black sooty mold grows on the honeydew. This means cars, patio furniture, toys, sidewalks, or anything else under an infested tree will be covered with black sooty mold.

The population of cottony maple scale in the Fenton area rises and falls in regular cycles. We often experience one or two peak years with high populations followed by a population crash caused by natural parasites. Then we will have two or three years of low populations where cottony maple scales are difficult to find.

The large amounts of honeydew produced by the scale insects are often a problem for homeowners, particularly if cars are parked under infested trees. Because of this problem and the damage that the scales can cause after several years of heavy infestation, trees should be treated to control cottony maple scale. Treatments for cottony maple scale can be done by tree spraying, tree trunk injections or by soil injections. The method of treatment to control cottony maple scale depends on the size and the location of the tree as well as the timing of when the treatment is to be administered.