Common Pests to Watch for During the Fall Months


There’s no denying that finding pests in your yard, especially around your trees, can be alarming at best. Though some are relatively harmless, others can cause significant stress to your trees and even lead to premature death. Though professional treatments can help protect your trees, you still need to know what to watch for so you can know when it’s time to call your plant health care team. Here are a few of the most common pests to look for during the fall months.

Mountain Pine Beetles
Mountain pine beetles spread quickly and can damage established pine trees. Like many bark beetles, they bore deep into the tree and lay eggs beneath the bark. This damages the tree’s vascular system, but that’s not all. They also introduce fungus into the tree which can spread throughout the tree, eventually killing it. Early detection can help protect your trees, so look for small bubbles of sap that collect over beetle bore holes and any pine needle discoloration. If you see anything that looks out of the ordinary, call your tree care team immediately.

Boxelder Bugs
Boxelder bugs are relatively harmless to both trees and the rest of your property, but they can be a major nuisance. These insects tend to hide behind loose bark, under rocks, and anywhere they can find shelter once the temperatures start to drop. Unfortunately for many homeowners, that often means boxelder bugs seek refuge indoors. It’s best to deal with these insects during the cooler months, so schedule a pest control treatment with your trusted exterminator as soon as you see the first boxelder bug inside.

Emerald Ash Borer
Emerald ash borers are responsible for much of the damage done to ash trees throughout northern Colorado. These insects, like mountain pine beetles, bore into ash trees and introduce a fungus that puts strain on the tree’s vascular system. Once the fungus spreads throughout the tree, it’s normal to see premature leaf drop and damaged limbs and branches. With early intervention, it’s possible to preserve your trees and keep the borers from spreading to any nearby ash trees. If you know that your neighbors recently had ash borers on their property or you suspect any kind of damage, don’t ignore it. Schedule an inspection with your tree care team as soon as possible.

Spruce Beetles
Spruce beetles, like mountain pine beetles, can bore deep into spruce trees and damage them quickly. Once they start boring into the trees, you’ll start to see yellowing needles and premature needle drop. It’s also common to find sap and resin on the trunk of the tree, indicating where the beetles bore beneath the bark. Dealing with spruce beetles quickly is the best way to protect and preserve your spruce trees and treatments are typically administered during the fall months.

Get Help as Soon as You Notice Unwanted Pests
The sooner you can schedule a pest treatment for your trees, the better off your landscaping will be. If you think you have any of these pests on your property, contact Root Tree Service immediately and schedule an inspection today.
 
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