We Texans sure love our crape myrtles — but unfortunately, so does a relatively new pest to North Texas known as bark scale.
The good news is, it’s simple to treat. Crape myrtles are very hardy trees with strong reserves, so it would take several years of heavy infestation before bark scale could seriously harm them.
This pest, originally from China, was first detected in the U.S. in 2010. Texas A&M has identified it as Eriococcus lagerstroemiae and believes it was introduced through imported crape myrtle plants.
What Does Bark Scale Look Like?
Many customers call us describing their crape myrtles as being covered in white dots or cotton-like bumps. While it may look like a fungus, it’s actually an insect called bark scale.
If you crush one of the live bugs, it will ooze a reddish-pink liquid. If you press on the scale and do not see any pink liquid, that means the scale has died.
Scale bug that was alive when smashed
Scale that has died and left an empty shell
Along with bark scale, you’ll often notice black sooty mold — it looks like black dust on leaves and bark.
The insects feed by sucking sap from branches and trunks. The sugars and yeast in the sap then attract the black sooty mold.
The two go hand in hand, but the mold itself is only cosmetic. Once the bark scale is eliminated, the mold will naturally fade away.
The Best Treatment for Bark Scale
We recommend using:
Bayer Advanced Tree & Shrub Protect and Feed Concentrate
- Available in both granular and liquid forms
- Provides year-long systemic protection against scale
- Application depends on trunk circumference — measure and apply around the base
- Always follow the label instructions for proper application
👉 This product can be found online or at most garden centers, including Lowe’s and Home Depot.
We are not sponsored by Bayer. Over the years, we’ve simply found their products to be the best fit for our customers. Generic options are available as well — just make sure the product contains Merit (imidacloprid).
When to Treat
The ideal time to treat is between May and July, when the scale are most active.
- Live scale: ooze pink when crushed
- Dead scale: leave behind a white shell with no liquid
After treatment, the empty shells can take time to fall off naturally, but you can gently brush them away to improve the tree’s appearance.
Why Crape Myrtles Are Still Worth It
Despite occasional pest issues, crape myrtles remain one of our top recommendations for North Texas:
- Adapt well to many soils
- Handle summer heat with ease
- Naturally drought tolerant
- Strong resistance to powdery mildew
- Thrive in both full sun and partial shade
Final Thoughts
I hope you’ve found this information helpful!
I’ll continue sharing tips and treatment plans for other common North Texas pests as they arise.
A big thank you to my talented friend Lauren for capturing the scale photos featured above.
— Denise
Treeland Nursery Team
Expert gardeners and tree care specialists
