Scale insects on star magnolia tree?

Question

I had landscaper plant a star magnolia about a month ago. It attracted lots of bees, some flies and ants but tree looked healthy. And then, one of my friends pointed out that there are round red stuffs growing out of the tree. After researching internet, we determined the tree is heavily infested with scale insects. I removed all of these (which I believe are female scales) off my tree manually. It's been a week and it no longer attracts bees/etc. My question is, is there anything else I need to do? I assume all these female scales are dead after I took them off tree (landed in the mulch below).

Answer 1

Get a pyrethrum based insecticide and spray the tree well.and the mulch below..the mulch is a organic wood base..so the insects will still survive and some eggs....Pyrithrums are a natural insecticide coming from chrysanthiums..and does very good..You can find it in any garden center..Mix as directed..do not over do it..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrethrum

http://www.mosquitomanagement.com/html/p...

Answer 2

If they were scale they are easily killed by spraying with white oil (non toxic).  Buy  from garden centres, just spray on the affected parts of the tree.  The oil kills them by sufficating them as they breath through their skin/scales.  You probably did have scale as they produce a 'honey' like substance that attracts the ants.

If you find they come back just do as above and you will eventually beat them.