Your #1 Ultimate Guide to Pest Control and Tree Treatment

When it comes to maintaining the health and beauty of your trees, pest control is a crucial aspect to consider. Insects can wreak havoc on trees, causing damage to leaves, branches, and even the trunk. In this ultimate guide, we will explore the various methods of insect treatment for trees, from understanding common insect pests to knowing when to call in the professionals for expert pest control services.

Understanding the Threat: Common Insect Pests Affecting Trees

Trees, while majestic and robust, can become vulnerable to the ravages of various insect pests. These unwanted visitors can significantly compromise the health and structural integrity of trees if left unchecked. Among the most notorious culprits are:

• Aphids 
• Ash leaf cone roller 
• Black Knot Fungus
• Elm Scale
• Fire Blight
• Oystershell Scale
• Satin Moth
• Yellow-Headed Spruce Sawfly

Recognizing these pests early on is crucial for implementing effective pest control measures. Each pest exhibits unique signs of infestation; for example, a tree under siege by aphids might display curled, yellowing leaves and a sticky residue known as honeydew. In contrast, evidence of Satin Moth’s includes visible sightings and leaves containing silk webbing on the stems and branches. Understanding the specific behaviors and effects of these common insect pests enables tree owners to initiate timely interventions, protecting their lawns and trees. Armed with this knowledge, individuals can better collaborate with pest control professionals to devise targeted treatment plans that address the distinct challenges posed by each type of insect invader.

The Importance of Early Detection in Pest Control

Spotting the early signs of insect infestation in trees can be the difference between manageable pest control measures and a situation that requires extensive and often costly intervention. Regular inspection of your trees plays a crucial role in identifying potential problems before they escalate. Look for indicators such as unusual leaf shapes, abnormal leaf colors, the presence of insects on the tree itself, and abnormal patterns or holes in the bark. These signs can signal the early stages of an infestation, enabling swift action and can jumpstart pest control activities. Implementing consistent monitoring routines can significantly aid in catching these early signs. For instance, during the growing season, a bi-weekly walk-through of your garden or landscape to closely inspect the health of your trees can uncover hidden issues. This proactive approach allows for the timely application of treatments, which might range from simple pruning to remove infested limbs to applying specific insecticides that target the pest without harming the tree.

An In-Depth Look into Each Pest

Aphids

Aphids are pear-shaped insects that are normally green, but can sometimes be yellow, gray, black, brown or pink. Aphids consume plant tissue by inserting their mouth, absorbing only certain nutrients from the sap while excreting the rest as a sticky substance called “honeydew”. This creates a glossy appearance on affected leaves, which can eventually attract fungus, resulting in a black scum that adheres to surfaces underneath infested trees. Aphids not only harm plants by sapping them of nutrients but can also cause physical damage, causing leaves to curl, fruits and stems to distort, and accumulating honeydew. Woody plants may recover from an infestation through new growth, but flower and vegetable seedlings may not have the same ability to bounce back.

Ash Leaf Cone Roller

The ash leaf cone roller, a newly introduced species in Calgary, has been identified as a pest that primarily affects Green and Manchurian Ash trees. During their early stages, the caterpillars feed within the leaf tissue before emerging and migrating to a new leaf where they form a distinctive cone-shaped structure. These larvae continue to feed within the enclosure until they reach the pupal stage, and by mid-June, they will have completed their feeding. Adult moths will begin emerging from the leaf cone by mid-July. Although this pest may appear frequently on individual trees, the harm it causes is negligible and does not affect the overall health of the trees. Despite the leaves being rolled up, they remain attached to the tree and only minimal damage is inflicted on the actual leaves.

Ash Psyllid

Resembling tiny cicadas, the Ash Psyllid feeds on plant juices by piercing leaf tissue, causing damage primarily during its immature nymph stage. This damage can be severe as feeding nymphs inject a toxin into tree leaves. The hatching of these insects occurs during the summer months of June and July, and they continue feeding until late August. The symptoms of Ash Psyllid infestation include the curling or wilting of leaves, often leading to premature leaf drop in summer. The feeding nymphs are surrounded by a cottony material enclosed within the leaf. Being a new invasive pest in Calgary, the Black and Manchurian Ash trees are particularly vulnerable to the Ash Psyllid infestation.

Black Knot Fungus

If you have a tree belonging to the Prunus family, there is a possibility that it might be infected with black knot fungus. Although the disease is not fatal, it can negatively impact the overall health of your tree if not treated. It specifically affects Prunus species and can be identified by the appearance of clumpy, black growths on the branches of your cherry trees. To effectively manage black knot fungus, carefully prune off any infected branches, cutting 2-4 inches below each “knot” and properly disposing of the removed material in a landfill. After each cut, it is important to sanitize your pruning tools with a solution consisting of 25% bleach and 75% water. It is also important to avoid pruning in the spring when the fungus is active, as this can exacerbate the problem. As the fungus is spread by spores, it is crucial to maintain proper sanitation of your pruning tools in order to minimize its spread from plant to plant.

Elm Scale

The European elm scale (EES) is a tree pest that targets elm trees by puncturing leaves and bark and sapping nutrients from the tree. In late June, the eggs of the EES hatch and begin to consume the leaves by mid-July. The pest migrates to the branches and twigs by autumn, where it will remain for the winter. Damage symptoms are often difficult to detect unless the infestation is severe, but can include discolored leaves that fall prematurely, twig and branch dieback, and a sticky substance known as honeydew that drips from the tree’s canopy.

Fire Blight

Calgary’s urban forests are vulnerable to fire blight, a bacterial disease that targets trees and shrubs in the rose family. While the disease is rare in Calgary due to its usually cool and dry summers, it can strike during humid and warm weather conditions or following severe thunderstorms and hail. Fire blight can spread through insect transmission, contaminated pruning tools, strong winds and rain, and hailstorms, which can wound the bark and make the tree susceptible to infection. Symptoms of fire blight include red, fire-scorched leaves that eventually brown and die, as well as dramatic wilting of new growth at the tips. Diseased twigs may also ooze a highly contagious amber liquid, which can easily spread the disease to other trees. Secondary infections can develop as bark cankers, indicated by indented, discolored areas on the branches and trunks. Bark cankers are a more serious infection that can lead to the death of the tree. Therefore, it is important to take precautions to prevent the spread of fire blight.

Oystershell Scale

The introduced pest known as Oystershell scale has made its presence known in Calgary. It presents as small clusters of oyster-shaped “shells” covering the bark of shrubs and trees. The “Crawlers” feed on twig and branch fluids before attaching permanently and developing a hardened shell. This shell protects them from predators, elements, and most pest-control methods. Fruit trees, lilacs, ash, maple, dogwood, poplar, and willow are the highest tree’s at risk. Oystershell scale is particularly serious on Cotoneaster shrubs, a popular hedge choice in the city. Infestation symptoms typically don’t appear until it’s heavily infested, making this pest difficult to combat. Preventative measures include inspecting plants that are prone to Oystershell and looking for oyster-shell shaped bumps, yellowing leaves, and branch dieback or gaps in your hedges. The key to dealing with Oystershell scale is to act early in the infestation progression. Regular yard maintenance and plant inspections are the best defense.

Satin Moth

The Satin Moths primarily feed on poplar leaves, although they have also been known to feed on willow and oak trees. The caterpillars can strip entire mature trees of their leaves, and produce two leaf-eating occurrences per season. While healthy trees can recover from this type of damage, repeated defoliation over a few seasons can result in the death of the tree. Signs of the Satin Moth pupae include rolled leaves and silk webbing on stems and branches. The mature Satin Moth caterpillars grow to be 3.5 to 4.5 cm long and are pale to medium gray-brown with a darker head and back. They have black backs with a central row of white or light yellow markings. It is important to distinguish them from the tent caterpillar, which has a white stripe down its back bordered by two blue lines. The adult Satin Moths have pure white wings with a satin-like shine and a wingspan ranging from 3.5 to 5.0 cm. They can be identified by the narrow alternating black and white bands on their legs, which set them apart from other local white species.

Yellow-headed Spruce Sawfly

Calgary’s young spruce trees fall prey to the yellow-headed spruce sawfly, which infests and feeds on trees growing individually or on the fringes of groups. If left untreated, the infestation, which can start on a three-to-five-year-old tree, can cause the tree to die within three years. The insect’s larval stage bears resemblance to a caterpillar and is an avid consumer of spruce needles, resulting in the total defoliation of branches and twigs, leaving behind only a few nibbled brown needle remains. Typically, the damage is initially noticeable on the lower branches near the ground.

Five Types of Pest Control Treatments for Your Trees

Nobody wants to have these issues with trees so here are the 5 types of pest control treatments and preventative measures you can take to protect your trees from insects and have a strong understanding of pest control this spring and summer.

1. Cultural

In order to maintain the health of plants and prevent pest control problems, it is essential to implement appropriate maintenance practices. This involves ensuring that plants receive adequate water, regular fertilization, proper pruning, and sanitation. By following these guidelines, the overall health of plants can be improved, making them more resilient to pest infestations.

2. Physical

• Manually remove and destroy any insects, leaves, or plant parts that are severely affected. Large pests like caterpillars, beetles, and slugs can be easily removed by hand when infestations are low. 
• Use a strong jet of water from a garden hose to dislodge and kill small pests like caterpillars, aphids, and spider mites. Regularly spraying trees and shrubs with water can help prevent infestations. 
• Physical barriers can also be employed to keep insects away from plants, especially in vegetable gardens.
• Disease management through physical control involves removing affected plant parts by pruning. For instance, black knot on mayday trees can only be controlled by pruning out the affected branches or portions of the branches. In some cases, an infected plant may need to be completely removed to prevent the spread of disease to other plants.
• Finally, weeds can be physically controlled by hoeing or hand digging. 

With these methods, managing pests, diseases, and weeds in plants can be achieved in an eco-friendly and effective manner.

3. Mechanical

Mechanical pest control can be achieved through the use of various tools and equipment such as insect vacuums, heat applicators for weed control, and motion-triggered water applicators for wildlife.

4. Biological

Biological pest controls are natural enemies of pests such as predatory and parasitic insects as well as birds. These natural enemies will often come to the garden on their own if there are high populations of a pest insect. For example, an outbreak of aphids will attract the natural predator lady beetles (lady bugs). Beneficial insects can be attracted to a yard by growing plants that are sources of nectar and pollen such as aster, marigold, salvia and monarda. Shallow dishes or bird baths act as a water source for both insects and birds, encouraging them to visit the yard. Protect birds and beneficial insects by avoiding the use of pesticides. If pesticides have to be used, choose the product with the lowest toxicity and shortest residual period.

5. Chemical

When buying pesticides, opt for those with the least amount of toxicity. Both synthetic and naturally derived options exist. For any food crops being treated, adhere to the safety precautions and waiting periods indicated on the label. Several municipalities are shifting towards minimal or zero-pesticide policies and implementing bio-control programs on a local scale. Be aware of these developments in your community to make an informed choice on pest management.

When to Call in the Professionals: Expert Pest Control Services

There are instances when home remedies and preventative strategies might not suffice in combating tree pests, signaling the need to seek professional expertise. A severe or persistent infestation presents a scenario where the skill and equipment of a certified pest control service become indispensable. At Martin’s Pest Control, our experts are equipped with the latest techniques and products to effectively manage even the most stubborn pests, ensuring your trees’ health is restored and maintained. Our services offer a comprehensive assessment that goes beyond surface-level symptoms to identify the root cause of the infestation. Additionally, our pest control professionals are well-versed in the latest environmentally friendly treatment options, balancing efficacy with ecological responsibility. We can implement solutions that are not only potent against pests but also safe for your family, pets, and beneficial insects, contributing to a healthier ecosystem around your home.. When facing a daunting pest challenge, enlisting the aid of professionals not only safeguards the health of your trees but also ensures a harmonious and sustainable coexistence with the natural environment. Give us a call today if you need help tackling your pest problem!