The increased cultivation of highbush blueberry in Poland has been paralleled with enhanced
damage to this crop by different pests and diseases, including soft scales. We have
carried out trials to assess methods for controlling soft scales of the genus Parthenolecanium
in highbush blueberry grown in open fields or under a plastic tunnel, with an approach
based on integrated pest management (IPM) principles. The reduction of Lecanium
scale population using alternative products, with mechanical mechanisms of action, was
similar to that achieved with treatments of different formulations of neonicotinyl-based
pesticides; sometimes they were even more effective on protected crops. Control programs
on plantations with a large population of Lecanium scales based on the application of these
alternative products in spring and at harvest time and chemical compounds in autumn resulted
in a very high efficacy and are considered the most suitable strategies to assure yields
without residues and a reduced impact on the environment.