Spring is here and while it has delivered new leaves and flowers, it has also delivered a variety of pests to challenge the health of our landscapes.
The colder and more sustained winter temperatures are, the less of a threat insects will pose in the spring. This year however may prove rather challenging. Winter was a bit warmer than usual and inconsistent with the high and low temperatures. These factors benefit the explosion of pest populations and greatly increase the potential for plant, flower, and tree damage.
Our team consulted with this tree service to put together a list of three voracious pests to watch for this spring. Also discussed are year round care, prevention tips, and advice.
Common Tree Pest Infestations
The following pests all have the potential (if left unchecked) to inflict irreversible damage and kill the trees in your yard. In many cases, by the time you notice that you have a problem, it may be too late to save the tree.
Inchworms - Known as cankerworms, consume the foliage of trees. Cankerworms can be divided into two species; 1 - the fall cankerworm and 2 - the spring cankerworm. Both of the species hatch in the spring and seek the same trees for sustenance.
This type of infestation causes more stress on a tree than anything else, and one year of defoliation shouldn’t lead to the demise of a tree. When that tree suffers a cankerworm infestation year after year, it may become susceptible to boring insects and disease. Typically, it is the subsequent infestation(s) that lead to the death of the tree.
Banding your trees in the fall will stop wingless female cankerworms from reaching the canopy to mate and deposit her eggs. Keep an eye on the bands though, dust and debris can get stuck to the bands creating a bridge, thus defeating the initial purpose.
Another option is to apply pesticides. With this insect, the application should be monitored by an arborist. There is a small window of time that pesticides are effective against inchworms, as they grow, they build a resistance to the chemicals.
Aphids (and Ants) - An aphid infestation can be very bad news for everything on your landscape. Not only do aphids feed on the sap from leaves, stems, and flowers, the “honeydew” they excrete is a haven for mold. As aphids can travel from tree to tree, they are able to spread fungi and viruses as they go.
Often associated with an aphid infestation is the presence of ants. While it may seem like the ants would help curb the infestation, this is far from the truth. The ants - in fact - are tending to the aphids in return for their honeydew.
If ants are present in an aphid infestation, use any means necessary to keep them away from the aphids. Ants can be stopped by banding a tree or by setting traps at the base of the tree or plant. Removing the presence of the ants will allow natural aphid predators to effectively reach and diminish the aphid population.
Insecticidal soaps (neem oil and horticultural oil as well) are very effective in the control of aphid infestations. The drawback is that repeated applications are necessary and the application will also kill some of the predatory insects that feed on the aphids. Since no toxic residue is left behind, predators migrating in after the application won’t be affected.
Lacewings and Ladybugs are both natural aphid predators. Both can be introduced to your landscape by acquiring a ladybug house and ladybug food to lure them, or purchasing them and releasing them.
Southern Pine Beetle (SPB) - (Dendroctonus frontalis) This beetle is known as the most destructive forest insect of the southern states. The signs of an infestation are severe dieback, browning of limbs and foliage, and ultimately the death of the tree. By the time these signs become visible, it is usually too late to rescue the tree.
Adult beetles emit a pheromone attracting others to the tree once they have succeeded in making it a host. Within days, they will overrun the trees defenses and as the space of one tree fills, the excess tree killers go to nearby trees to do the same.
Older and weakened trees (by other infestations, fungi or disease) are highly susceptible to a beetle infestation.
Beetle infestation management is accomplished by keeping your trees properly pruned and healthy, and when there is a beetle breakout, calling in an arborist to apply the right insecticide to the tree bark. If the tree is already affected, the arborist will help you reach an informed decision about which measures to take in saving or removing the tree.
Tree Infestation Management
Before you have a problem, assume that one is coming. The first line of defense for every tree is its health.
- Is it getting enough water?
- Is the soil fertile?
- Is it disease free?
- Is pruning done regularly and properly?
Watching your trees isn’t all there is to it though. The plants, grass, and shrubs all work together with the trees in an ecosystem. Watching for irregularities or infestations with the other plant life will help you take preventative measures when necessary.
When an infestation occurs, immediate action is required to prevent the “explosion” or spread of it. When sprays, oils, tree bands, and other methods don’t produce the desired results, call a professional.
Tree and Landscape Health
As previously mentioned, the plants, grass, shrubs, and trees all work together in creating a healthy ecosystem. One of the secrets to a successful landscape is the diversity of its plant life.
Pay attention to the health of your yard or landscape as a whole. When something looks wrong, don’t hesitate to take action and don’t make the mistake of assuming that its an isolated problem. In such a case, perform periodic inspections of your plants and trees, and call an arborist or reputable tree service that can diagnose and ensure their health.
If you run into any problems, this local tree service performs tree care assessment, pruning, cutting, trimming, and emergency tree removal.
Talking to your neighbors will also help prevent the spread of infestations and fungi from yard to yard. Keep each other informed of potential risks, and on the lookout for symptoms of these pests.