How to Protect Your Treats from Insects and Pests
Trees provide beauty, shade, and privacy for your yard, but only if you keep them healthy and free of pests and disease. Most insects attack trees in the summer, so catching any signs of problems early often is key to whether your trees survive and thrive.
A few extra steps checking on the health of your trees can save you money.
For example, carpenter ants are also harmful to trees, and it’s important to get rid of them the moment you find them in your trees. The ants that attack your trees could soon find their way into your home, and destroy the foundation.
Thrive Pest Control is your local pest removal expert. We can remove the carpenter ant infestation and save you the cost of removing the dead trees. Keep in mind: It’s cheaper to remove the ants than it is to remove the tree. LawnStarter estimates the average price of removing just the tree stump is $244.
How to Keep Out Pests from Damaging Your Trees:
The Tennessee Extension Service advises checking the trunk of your trees for new wounds that could disrupt the water flow or nutrients in the trunk. Also, check the crook of the branches for sawdust and small holes in the trunks or branches. Signs of pest infestations on trees
- Sudden thinning foliage
- Discoloration
- Abnormal leaf size
- Borer holes
- Holes in trunk
- Stunted growth for branches
- Watch for insects
Some insects will make holes in the branches and trunk and ultimately kill the tree.
The emerald ash borer, which is invading Nashville, can kill ash trees. The metallic green beetle lays eggs on the bark of the tree, and when the eggs hatch, the larvae feed on the tree’s tissues, preventing the tree from absorbing water and nutrients.
You can protect your ash trees with daily and weekly monitoring. If you find the beetle on one tree or branch, quickly cut down affected parts and discard those branches.
Water Often
When it comes to preventing insect infestations in trees, hydration is a must. Regular watering prevents the branches from drying out, and reduces the risk of insect infestation. If the ground under the tree is cracked and dry, your trees are thirsty.
Horticultural Oils
Horticultural oils are great at keeping spider mites, scales, aphids, whiteflies, and slugs off your fruit trees and plants.
Arborists have used horticultural oils for years to discourage pests. Just one application applied to the leaves and tree limbs will suffocate the bugs and prevent them from laying eggs.
The oils are safe for people and won’t harm pets, because they don’t leave a toxic residue. They’re also easy to apply and can be used with any existing spray equipment and mixed with other pesticides.
Schedule an Inspection
Don’t let pests ruin your trees. Give us a call at the first sign of trouble.
At Thrive Pest Control, we are experts in ridding homes and yards of unwanted pests. After all, a great home starts with the yard.
About the Author:
Tim Meredith is an eco-friendly landscaper and freelance writer who started mowing lawns as a teenager to earn extra cash. He uses only organic pest control and fertilizers and electric mowers and hedge trimmers.