No chemicals - if possible

[BlueClouds]

Originally Posted by Threerun

If it hasn’t been mentioned hydrogen peroxide may work. Look it up there’s lots of info on the interwebs

Thank you! This is a very good idea that I had not come across and will try it out.

[BlueClouds]

Originally Posted by Zoisite

In all likelihood those fuzzy white dots on the tree are what are called Crepe Myrtle Bark Scale (CMBS for short) and if left alone they will eventually completely cover the tree. They are invasive congregational insects with fuzzy white or grey shells and they cause what is called Sooty Black Mold on the tree. Inspect the fuzzy white spots with a magnifying glass and compare with images found online, and examine the bark on the tree to see if it has black mold spreading on it that looks and feels like a coating of soot left from a fire. Don't handle it with bare hands, use rubber gloves if you intend to scrub it, and scrub everything off the tree with a very stiff bristle brush and strong soapy water (use dish soap).

Scale: https://www.google.ca/search?q=crepe...t=gws-wiz-serp

Scale images: https://www.google.ca/search?q=crepe...ih=592&dpr=1.5

Re: the paving stones - I don't like resorting to using chemicals if avoidable, other than soap and water on aphids and mites or to clean things. Sometimes the best way to deal with grass or weeds that come up between pavers is to hire a different handyman (or neighbour kid) to come and manually pull it out by the roots. Be prepared to supervise if you want somebody else to do it to your satisfaction. I do it myself and usually tend to pull it out manually or else trim the stray grass and roots around the edges of the pavers with a sharp knife or box-cutter and scissors. A weed eater with a nylon line (not a blade) is quite effective at whipping out stuff between pavers too, and so is a power washer with a sharp cutting stream.

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Thank you...I did use the scrubbing the fuzzy white dots off and used soapy water to rinse the trunk and lower branches. All the white dots are now gone my tree is happy again.

[skilro65]

It is possible to do without chemicals on the garden plot, but the risks of losing crops will be serious, especially after long rains. It would also be curious to know all harmless remedies against aphids, spider mites, fungi...