Headline: Sticky, Sooty Invasion: Cottony Maple Scale Pests Blanket Glenview and Mt Prospect

GLENVIEW, IL – An unusual and highly visible pest invasion is sweeping through Glenview and nearby suburbs, leaving a sticky mess on cars, homes, and trees. The culprit? The Cottony Maple Scale, a sap-feeding insect targeting silver maple trees, identifiable by its distinctive white, shell-like, fluffy covering. Super accelerated by the recent warm winters.

Residents across the region are reporting an explosion of the pest, which secretes a sticky, sweet liquid known as honeydew. That residue is now spawning dark, sooty mold that coats outdoor surfaces, from driveway pavements to patio furniture.

In Mount Prospect, the situation has become so intense that the Village issued a memo on May 1, 2026, confirming they have received up to 100 reports per day from frustrated residents. According to the Village’s Public Works Department – Forestry Division, the cause is Maple Scale, a common but usually minor pest that has surged due to environmental factors like a mild winter. Mt. Prospect is sending out someone to check trees with in 48 hours after getting a call.

“Maple scale populations can fluctuate from year to year,” A Mount Prospect arborist noted. “Periodic population surges can occur, making honeydew and sooty mold more noticeable across the community.”

The Village of Mount Prospect stated it appreciates residents’ vigilance and will continue monitoring conditions. For questions, residents can call the Public Works Department – Forestry Division at 847-870-5640.

Across the border in Glenview, however, the response has been less direct. The Village of Glenview operates a Parkway Tree Maintenance page to answer tree-related questions, but it currently does not address the heavy infestation of Cottony Maple Scale on village property.

As far as we can redeem Glenview has not sent anyone to check any tree in the downtown distinct directly.

“If you notice white scales that look like shells on the ground, on branches, or on leaves, you have a problem,” one source said. Currently, Glenview has not designated a specific department to call beyond the village’s main switchboard, leaving some residents unsure of where to turn.

Still, local confidence in Glenview’s leadership remains high. The village has long prided itself on maintaining a strong tree program. Despite being potentially caught off guard by this pest, many believe a solution is forthcoming.

“We have confident in Glenview - Look how great the village did handling the Asian Beetle,” one observer noted. “We are extremely confident that the village will solve this problem.”

“It I just hope we don’t loose too many trees due to the late start.”

Tree experts seem to be unable to answer our question regarding if you know it’s coming because of the warmer winters can it be prevented?