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10 proven strategies to detect and prevent tree-boring insects from damaging your trees
Wood-boring insects, commonly referred to as tree borers, pose a significant threat to ornamental trees and shrubs across the United States and beyond. These pests, typically found in the larval stage of various insect species such as beetles, wasps, and moths, can cause considerable damage. We have outlined tips to identify tree-boring insects and prevention tips to help you take proactive measures to protect your landscape.
Detecting Tree Borers
- Tree borers typically target stressed trees rather than healthy ones. They particularly attack newly transplanted, injured, or weakened trees. After hatching, young larvae quickly burrow under the bark to feed and grow. Watch out for signs such as tunnel holes, sawdust like frass, dead branches, bark cracks, or sap seepage.
Once inside the tree, detecting borer larvae becomes challenging until substantial damage occurs. This damage often results in structural weakness, branch dieback, girdling, and overall decline in tree health, potentially leading to the tree’s demise. Infested areas also become vulnerable to pathogen entry. At this stage, larvae are typically resistant to insecticide sprays.
Types of Tree Borers
Common wood borer types include:
Longhorn Beetle Larvae
- They create oval-shaped tunnels filled with a mixture of droppings and sawdust. Infested wattles may appear distressed, with excessive sap dripping, resembling bleeding wounds.
Jewel Beetle Larvae
- Jewel beetle larvae create tunnels into bark, cambium, and sapwood packed with droppings and sawdust.
Wood Moth Larvae
Tunneling caused by wood moth larvae may go unnoticed until exit holes become apparent. Tunnel entrances are typically covered with bark and webbing, often found in the forks of trees.
Eliminating Tree-Borer Insects
- Once you have confirmed a tree borer infestation, you have two treatment options available:
Chemical Treatment
- Utilize contact insecticides or soil treatments to eradicate existing infestations and prevent future attacks. However, it’s essential to follow local regulations about pesticide usage to ensure legal compliance before applying any chemical treatments to your trees.
Mechanical Approach
- Alternatively, you can manually remove larvae using specialized tools or eliminate infested wood sections. In cases of severe infestation, the removal of the entire tree may be necessary to mitigate risks associated with falling branches or widespread infestation.
Preventing Tree Borer Infestations
- Implement these proactive measures to reduce the risk of wood borer infestations:
Select Resistant Tree Species
- Opt for tree species less susceptible to wood borers when planning your landscaping. Consult with a certified arborist or tree care specialist to identify suitable tree species for your region that are less prone to infestation.
Maintain Tree Health
- Properly care for your trees by ensuring they receive adequate water and nutrients. Well-maintained trees are less likely to become stressed or weakened, reducing their vulnerability to wood borers. Pay special attention to newly transplanted trees to support their growth.
Prevent and Treat Tree Injuries
- Addressing tree injuries promptly can reduce the risk of borer infestation. If you spot a wounded tree, take immediate steps to care for it and minimize the likelihood of infestation.
Prune Infested Branches with Care
When dealing with borer infestations, pruning off affected branches is a practical approach. Inspect your cut for any signs of borer holes or tunnels. If you detect a hole, you’ll need to make another cut further along the branch towards the trunk.
In some instances, borers may have penetrated the trunk, necessitating more drastic measures such as severe pruning or complete tree removal. For large trees showing signs of illness and borer activity, seek expert advice and assistance from a certified arborist.
For expert tree care services, turn to American Tree Experts Inc. We provide comprehensive pest management solutions for all types of pests and bugs. Call us at (973) 744-6091. We are located in MontClair, New Jersey.