Native to China, Japan, and the Philippines, crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia indica) are so popular in the South, you probably ...

Dear Reader: Your plant has been attacked by crape myrtle bark scale. They’re the white, practically immobile insects that are attached to the stems.

IN THE GARDEN: Diagnosing and treating a crape myrtle affected by bark scale insects March 21, 2025 by Janet B. Carson Follow this story ...

DEAR JANET: Why are the trunks of my crape myrtles turning black? They look rather unsightly. Mine aren't the only ones doing this -- many in our neighborhood look the same. Is it a disease? Is it ...

Dear Neil: Regarding crape myrtle bark scale — Southeastern Virginia has been battling this pest for years. The scale itself will not kill the plants. However, the sooty mold is ...

Dear Neil: Regarding crape myrtle bark scale — Southeastern Virginia has been battling this pest for years. The scale itself will not kill the plants. However, the sooty mold is the real problem.

WASHINGTON — Crape Myrtle trees are found all over the DMV. They boast beautiful blooms and are a staple of many landscapes. But little white critters, called bark scale, are threatening the trees.

White spots on your crepe myrtle tree may just look like light mold or lichen, but it may be a sign of a bigger issue that sinister and damaging.

You may also see a black lady bug beetle with two bright orange dots on its wings. That’s the twice-stabbed lady bug, and it’s a very effective predator of this pest. If you see them withhold any ...

Adding to our list of non-native pests is a newcomer that attacks crepe myrtles. It is called the Crepe Myrtle Bark Scale (CMBS). The new pest is originally from China, Japan and Korea. It was first ...

Once you have identified the bark scale on your crepe myrtle, there are few measures to suppress it. The first step is to use whatever insecticide you have in your garden shed to control insects.

Crape myrtles, an ornamental tree popular in landscapes throughout the state of Delaware, are prized for their beauty, exfoliating bark in shades of silver and cinnamon, and long-lasting flowers in a ...