How to Kill Crepe Myrtle. Crapemyrtle bark scales build shells over themselves so normal insecticides won’t kill them. All of these are safe, natural products available at home and garden centers. Primary pests in Florida are powdery mildew and the crapemyrtle aphid with its associated sooty mold. Without the insects and their honeydew, sooty mold will gradually wash away. Powdery mildew is caused by the fungus Erysiphe lagerstroemiae. Crape Myrtles (Lagerstroemia) are very popular shrubs for warmer areas, and no wonder.They have spectacular blooms for an extended period, grow well in poor soil, and are heat and drought resistant. Crape myrtle bark scale is an introduced insect pest from Asia, and it has a great affinity for crape myrtle trees. Spray your crepe myrtle according to label directions with insecticidal soap, horticultural oil, neem oil, or Natria Multi-Insect Control. Found throughout May through September, these tiny insects do damage by feeding on the soft tissues and plant sap of Crepe Myrtle leaves. The crapemyrtle bark scale (Acanthococcus lagerstroemiae) is a recently introduced pest from Asia that initially infested crapemyrtles (Lagerstroemia spp.) Crepe myrtle scale has no natural enemies here yet, so this is the only effective control. A stressed tree is more susceptible to damage by insects and disease. Crape Myrtle Aphids. in Texas during 2004.Since then, it has spread rapidly through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Georgia. “The white dots are likely insects called crapemyrtle bark scales. As spring foliage decorates plant limbs, crape myrtle aphids flock to your shrubs and trees. A few insects on a plant usually do not cause damage to the plant. Pests. Powdery Mildew. One of the common pests that plague these large shrubs is spider mites . Controlling them requires a two-step approach each year. However, what you may notice first is a sticky residue on your patio, car, or person as you enjoy the shade of said tree. Crepe myrtles, also known as crape myrtles or Lagerstroemia, can give your yard vibrant injections of white, pink-purple, and red when in bloom. This makes it easy for them to quickly grow into a large population that will damage your tree. As you can see in the photo above, the tell-tale signs of Aphid damage are yellow spots, curling leaves and tiny little whitish, tan, beige, or dark-colored insects on the backs of the leaves. Crepe myrtle aphids reproduce rapidly. They also come in many sizes, so there is a plant for every purpose around the garden, from specimen tree to low shrub or container plant. The problem usually goes unnoticed until plants begin turning black with a fungus called sooty mold when it begins to grow on insect droppings. The major insect pests of crape myrtles in Texas are crape myrtle aphids, Japanese beetles, and primrose flea beetles. 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