What are these aliens on my tree?

[billa]

Hi Folks,

I was doing some pruning on my juni and found these visitors? What on earth are they? They look harmful. How do I get rid of them? Many thanks...also are they killing my tree as its not in the best health

The photos were taken on my mobile phone so I could not get the best pics!!!

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I used scissors to scrape of a couple and they kind of 'pop' off?!!

[billa]

They seem to be on most of my tree im getting a bit worried now...

[Craig]

looks like it might be 'scale", and you should be worried as it can seriously affect the health of your tree.

viewtopic.php?f=19&t=3199&start=0

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=junip ... 09&bih=564

[shibui]

Even though I can't make out the pests in the pics I agree. Most likely scale. Best treated with an oil based spray or a systemic pesticide. Most of these are likely to be dead at this time of year but will have laid plenty of eggs so a couple of sprays in spring and keep a close eye out next summer (young scale may be brown, not white during spring and summer)

[billa]

AWESOME!!

Thank you my friends..I am about to bolt to bunnings. This will be the last time I give my mum (reluctantly) a tree because it 'looked cute'

[Nick]

Don't think an oil based spray would be good for a juniper. It would probably kill the poor tree before the scale /mealy bugs. How about a sharp jet of water to dislodge and wash most of them away and then soapy water spray. Keep an eye on it and repeat of problem persists. Air flow into branches will also help. I only use systemic and others as a last resort. Stay organic and keep feeding and warmth and light.
Don't blame mum. Probably already there as eggs before she got it.
Nick.

[billa]

ok my mum does have a bit of a green thumb.......

might wait on the pesticides and try organic, its ALWAYS the better option.

Thank you Mr Nick

[Petra]

Yep, try soapy water.
I get them on my cactuses all the time.
Just spray the tree with soapy water and the area where the tree sits.
Just have to do repeat sprays once in a while. Good luck!

[shibui]

White oil (at least homemade white oil) IS organic. Its just vegetable oil and water with optional emulsifier, usually soap to stop it separating) and, properly used should not hurt a juniper.
Soap sprays can work but will need to be used quite regularly (probably weekly for a month or more) to get rid of scale.