Contact Us
University of California Cooperative Extension Ventura County
669 County Square Drive, Suite 100
Ventura, CA 93003
Phone: 805.645.1451
Fax: 805.645.1474
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The office will be closed for the following holidays:
March 29 – Ceaser Chavez Day
May 27 – Memorial Day
June 19 – Juneteenth
July 4 - Independence Day
Scale on Citrus
There are a number of scales that can become a problem on citrus. Citricola scale, brown soft scale, black scale, and California red scale are among the most common. The scales suck sap from the tree and produce honeydew. Ants are present to harvest the honeydew and to protect the scales from predators and parasites. Both the scale and the ants must be controlled. Scales are best controlled with a spray. Use the spray in accordance with label directions and spray all surfaces of the tree, so that it is dripping wet. The ants need to be controlled by using bait stations. If the tree is free-standing, apply a four- to three-inch band of “tangle foot” around the trunk to deny ant access to the tree.