Asian Tea Scale on SagoSago Palms that look as if they have been painted with white spray paint are likely infested with Asian Tea Scale. This persistent insect will destroy the looks of the plant and in some cases kill the plant. The problem is that there is no long lasting cures and soon after treatment the Asian Tea Scale will reestablish.

It is likely that the infestation is aided by birds flying between Sagos and distributing the scale on their little feet. So if your neighbor has a infested plant - yours will be soon.

Although there are treatments, I recommend that the plant be replaced with a similar plant. Pigmy Date Palm has similar size, texture and growth habit. It is a matter of economics – treatments are ineffective, re-infestation is likely and cost upwards of $200.00 a year. A replacement plant that requires no treatments can be installed for less than $200.00.

So some common sense will go a long way to keeping your landscape attractive. Don’t get hooked into thinking that you must “save” the Sago – it is environmentally correct to replace sick, stressed plants with ones that require less chemicals and resources to maintain.