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Crepe Myrtle Bark Scale Discovered In NC

August 17, 2016 Bugs and Crud

NC State confirmed this week the first cases of crepe myrtle bark scale in North Carolina. One of our landscape partners first noticed something wrong with crepe myrtles in 2 communities off exit 35 on i77. The pictures below are of the pest. They appear as small white specs on the trunk and in the canopy. About the size of a pencil tip. They can affect the overall health of the plant, reducing new growth and causing a darker overall appearance. Our Arborists are keeping an eye out for it in other areas. If you have a crepe myrtle in your yard (I believe they give them out as part of a Welcome to North Carolina package when you move here so most everyone has one) please take a few minutes and give it a look. If you notice anything please give us a call. There are treatment options for the pest and we'd like to do our best to keep it in check before it spreads throughout the area.