Scott Tunnock, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org

Pine Needle Scale Management

Because of the nature of pine needle scale, you will need to take action to protect the trees. Large infestations are unnatural, but they do occur. The downside is there is only one particular time that the pests cause the damage and are weakened: the crawler stage.
Horticultural Oils Are Preferred
While there are some natural ways to remove the pests, they’re not the best. Horticultural oils are considered the most effective ways to tackle pine needle scale throughout their years. You’ll need to apply the oils onto the pines and other trees during the dormant season. You may see some discoloration to the tree, but this isn’t permanent or dangerous. There are summer oils available. They will kill the young before they are able to settle into the needles. Avoid the oils when there is drought or other conditions affecting the trees.

Use Crawler Sprays Instead for Pine Needle Scale Management

The crawler stage is the best time to tackle the creatures. This is when the insects are most active and are most vulnerable. Use a crawler spray (insecticides applied during crawling stage) and apply directly to the areas of the tree that are infected.  You need to do this after the eggs have hatched. The good news is you can just monitor the eggs carefully. Check on them every day throughout April and June by shaking the branches with a bit of white paper underneath. Make sure you check regularly for new hatching, just in case there have been two generations of eggs over the space of a few weeks.
If you are in doubt, contact SprayTech, tree spraying specialists, to tackle the pine needle scale management for you. They’ll know the best options for an infestation of your size.