What are the small (3mm) white lumps on my hemlock tree branches?
Indian wax scale insects are tiny, brownish-purple with microscopic legs and a thick covering of sticky, white wax. The Indian wax scale is found from Florida to Maryland. Indian wax scales have been reported on hemlock, azalea, blueberry, camellia, Chinese elm, citrus, fig, Eugenia, gumbo-limbo, Chinese holly, yaupon, jasmine, mulberry, pear, persimmon, plum, quince, sabodilla, turkscap, and other plants. They secrete a copious honeydew to which black fungus called sooty mold grows, leading to plant disfiguration. To control the problem you can handpick scales in winter (if practical). Because there is only one generation per year, applying carbaryl, horticultural oil, or a pyrethroid to the crawler stage in early June will give virtually complete control. Read and follow label directions and warnings carefully! What are the bright red bugs I’m finding outside in my yard, around trees and mulch and on the house? Adult boxelder bugs are black with red markings, and about 1/2″ long. The
