scale insect infestation

have removged them once with a soft toothbrush, treated infected area with meths, spravyed with Provado ultimate bug killer (sunday). Little Buggers are back already - but in different locations and lurking in the foliage rather than on the trunk of my cork bark elms. I can't treat with provado again for a while. Any suggestions, and what are the implications for the health of the tree?

Hello Bobby. Health implications are minor in the short term. Just keep squishing the little buggers, that should do it. If they persist, you can leaf prune now and go over with meths and a toothbrush. Make sure to dispose of any leaves and bugs on the soil.

will baddeley wrote: Just keep squishing the little buggers, that should do it.

It works for my more recalcitrant students.

Those buggers (scale that is) can become a nightmare if you don't keep on top of them. Squishing them by hand seems like a not so efficient way to deal with them to me. I would suggest using a systemic insecticide (My preference if the treed doesn't produce seed or fruit that might be consumed by wildlife) or an application of light horticultural oil to suffocate the dang things!

RAndy