Common Tree Pests to Battle
No matter how big or small your trees and shrubs are, pest control is crucial€"these little buggers can be the David that defeats your Goliath. While some pests are obvious, others are pretty discreet. Are you sure your trees are safe from infestations and parasites? In some cases, pests flock to high-reaching branches and hide in foliage so they're barely seen by the average homeowner. That's why scheduling an annual tree inspection is crucial.
Depending on where you live and the types of trees in your yard, the pests you may battle with can vary widely. However, there are a few common offenders. Keep an eye out for these €home wreckers€ and call your local tree service immediately if you suspect multi-legged squatters.
Aphids
One of the most common pests, they don't actually damage the tree but can destroy the foliage and ultimately stunt its growth. They also produce a slew of €honeydew€ which is sticky, can drop onto your lawn furniture or vehicles, and will eventually turn into a fungus if it's not cleaned up. Worse, there are some species of aphids which inject toxins into the limbs that slows down growth even more.
Black Turpentine Beetle
Located along the East Coast and across Texas, these beetles adore pine trees€"especially in urban areas. However, they'll go after pretty much any type of pine and you'll know they're around because it looks like something's been chewing on the bark (because it has). They can quickly destroy any sized tree when there's a full infestation and you'll be left with what looks like poorly chopped firewood.
Douglas Fir Tussock Moth
A rampant €defoliator€, this is one moth that prefers the taste of foliage over your old, pilling sweater. They're most often found along the West Coast and up into Canada, are a discreet brown (so they blend in with the bark) and you might not even take note of them at first blush. However, if you notice hoards of moths fluttering near trees that just happen to be Douglas firs, get ready for war. A tree specialist can take care of these troublemakers.
Forest Tent Caterpillar
These fat and fluffy caterpillars might look cute, but they can down foliage like someone with midnight munchies. While they'll devour pretty much any type of tree, they especially like oak, aspen and sugar maple. An outbreak can happen just about anywhere in the US and Canada, but major outbreaks occur about every six years. If you spy caterpillars milling about on your tree, don't assume they're just making their way elsewhere€"they might be feasting on your foliage.
Hemlock Wooly Adelgid
In the Carolinas, the hemlock is going extinct thanks to this pest with the long and crazy name. They're technically in the aphid family and enjoy coniferous plants. An invasive species, it's thought that they came from Asia and€"much like the kudzu of the region€"have taken over. First discovered in the US in the 1950s, if you live in the Southeast and have a conifer on your property, watch out for these tree terminators.
You won't always get warning signs that a pest is on the loose. Play it safe by making sure to schedule annual tree checkups. You never know what might be lurking in your leaves or biding time in your bark.
Depending on where you live and the types of trees in your yard, the pests you may battle with can vary widely. However, there are a few common offenders. Keep an eye out for these €home wreckers€ and call your local tree service immediately if you suspect multi-legged squatters.
Aphids
One of the most common pests, they don't actually damage the tree but can destroy the foliage and ultimately stunt its growth. They also produce a slew of €honeydew€ which is sticky, can drop onto your lawn furniture or vehicles, and will eventually turn into a fungus if it's not cleaned up. Worse, there are some species of aphids which inject toxins into the limbs that slows down growth even more.
Black Turpentine Beetle
Located along the East Coast and across Texas, these beetles adore pine trees€"especially in urban areas. However, they'll go after pretty much any type of pine and you'll know they're around because it looks like something's been chewing on the bark (because it has). They can quickly destroy any sized tree when there's a full infestation and you'll be left with what looks like poorly chopped firewood.
Douglas Fir Tussock Moth
A rampant €defoliator€, this is one moth that prefers the taste of foliage over your old, pilling sweater. They're most often found along the West Coast and up into Canada, are a discreet brown (so they blend in with the bark) and you might not even take note of them at first blush. However, if you notice hoards of moths fluttering near trees that just happen to be Douglas firs, get ready for war. A tree specialist can take care of these troublemakers.
Forest Tent Caterpillar
These fat and fluffy caterpillars might look cute, but they can down foliage like someone with midnight munchies. While they'll devour pretty much any type of tree, they especially like oak, aspen and sugar maple. An outbreak can happen just about anywhere in the US and Canada, but major outbreaks occur about every six years. If you spy caterpillars milling about on your tree, don't assume they're just making their way elsewhere€"they might be feasting on your foliage.
Hemlock Wooly Adelgid
In the Carolinas, the hemlock is going extinct thanks to this pest with the long and crazy name. They're technically in the aphid family and enjoy coniferous plants. An invasive species, it's thought that they came from Asia and€"much like the kudzu of the region€"have taken over. First discovered in the US in the 1950s, if you live in the Southeast and have a conifer on your property, watch out for these tree terminators.
You won't always get warning signs that a pest is on the loose. Play it safe by making sure to schedule annual tree checkups. You never know what might be lurking in your leaves or biding time in your bark.
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