Vedalia beetle for cottony cushion scale
UC IPM calls vedalia the best control of cottony cushion scale: once it arrives it can control a serious infestation in 4–6 weeks. No insectary rears it. If none have appeared by the end of March, collect adults, larvae or pupae from another infested tree and place them on the scale; as few as 20 can found a population. Do not use imidacloprid, pyrethroids or insect growth regulators, and control ants.
Before you act
A small red-and-black lady beetle that, with a parasitic fly, usually keeps cottony cushion scale under control, unless sprays or hot weather set it back. No insectary rears it, so you find it, protect it, or move it from another tree. How to recognise it, what it is confused with and how to keep it around are on the full Vedalia beetle profile.
Other controls for cottony cushion scale
No other reviewed control is listed for this pest yet.