THESE ARE CALLED AZALEA LACE BUGS HERE IS A LINK


azalea lace bug - Stephanitis pyrioides (Scott)

Being in PA the black dots are deffenitly probably artillery fungus. Very common in the Northeast from mulch. Below is a link of some information from Penn State University on the subject. In addition, I make sure I carry a print out of the article on the second link with me, when I run into a customer that has this problem with their property. It's helpful to show them and explain to them that the problem isn't fly crap, but a fungus. It's usually not too far afterwards that they end up replacing the mulch with decorative stone. Not much you can do to remove it on vinyl siding. You can scrap it off with your finger nail, but it leaves a stain in the vinyl. I talked to some folks at Eaco chem, and they recomended SafeRetore to remove the stains, but that stuff isn't cheap, and well let's just say not too plant friendly. But if you want a good weed killer, it turns anything brown in 2 minutes

JZ

Artillery Fungus- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
ARTILLERY FUNGUS THREATENS HOMEOWNERS, MULCH INDUSTRY

I have seen shot gun fungus on siding before and how its just sporatic all over the siding...

But let me ask you guys this.... For example... I had a home I recently cleaned, located on a large lake.... Lake front property, that gets alot of spiders and bugs...

Now all around the lights there are specks, some black.. some brown... thought it was from the bugs, flys, etc... leaving their mark

My house wash mix just didn't seem to cut through it, agitated with a brush.. couldnt break it loose... I almost wondered, since it may have sat there long enough... It kinda etched into the siding (painted aluminum)

I probably should have posted this as a seperate message.... But I was curious if anyone else has had this problem.... its not around the flower beds or on the side of the home... just around the porch lights...

And while I'm at it.... Anyone have any tricks of their own on Cobwebs... This place was loaded with them... Great environment for spiders to thrive lakeside...

Thanks for any tips or suggestions!

Tim