If you have trees on your property, you want to do everything you can to protect them. Unfortunately, tree pests can wreak havoc by feasting on foliage, sucking sap, or even boring their way into the trunk.
To prevent or address these issues, you might be looking for the best insecticide for trees.
You can purchase and apply some tree insecticides on your own but in many cases, hiring a professional for tree pest control is your smartest move.
In this article, we will talk about some of the most popular tree insecticides as well as some of the most common pests that you might be dealing with. We’ll help give you a better idea of how to implement pest control for trees effectively.
Common Tree Pests in New England
Many potential tree pests can plague New England trees. Here are a few examples of some of the most common offenders.
The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid
This pest is a small, aphid-like insect that doesn’t eat tree leaves but sucks the sap from the tender shoots of Hemlock trees.
This invasive species first appeared in New Hampshire in 2000, followed by Maine in 2003. If left to continue sucking sap, these pests can eventually cause a tree’s death.
The Aphid
These pests are under a quarter-inch in size and have pear-shaped bodies. While they are tiny, they can still do serious damage. Aphids suck the sap from your trees and shrubs.
Damage might appear as yellowing leaves or you may notice foliage or stems covered in a sticky substance.
The Winter Moth
This pest can be a serious problem on New England trees. These hungry caterpillars will munch on leaves and create holes in the process. They aren’t picky and will devour almost all broadleaf plants including Maples, Oaks, Ashes, Apples, and more.
The Japanese Beetle
While relatively small in size, these beetles can be highly destructive. That’s because they feed in large groups. Japanese Beetles are also known to cause damage to 300+ species of plants.
Repeated trouble with this pest can lead to severe destruction of your trees.
The Emerald Ash Borer
The Emerald Ash Borer has been called one of the most invasive species in North America and for good reason. Since it was first identified in 2002, this beetle has killed tens of millions of Ash trees.
Popular Tree Insecticides
The following tree insecticides are some popular examples of products that can address pests on your property.
Neem Oil
Environment friendly, it benefits ornamental shrubs and trees. Neem oil (azadirachtin) acts as a feeding repellent that can safeguard trees from most pest attacks and diseases.
It can also inhibit insect feeding, deregulate their growth, suppress fertility, and alter the development of some pests. Susceptibility to neem varies among different insect species.
Pyrethrins
Products containing 20% to 25% pyrethrins are broad-spectrum insecticides. They have an instant knockdown effect and attack almost all insects and arthropods, including spiders and mites. Pyrethrin is extremely useful as contact sprays, but its outdoor use is limited as sunlight, moisture, and air can easily deactivate it.
Sevin/Carbaryl
Liquid Sevin spray is an effective way to control the spread of Japanese Beetles. It can also be used as tree pest control for many other types of insects.
Cyonara Lawn & Garden Insect Control
Cyonara is an insect control spray that treats a wide variety of common pests like spider mites, aphids, fire ants, fleas, and chinch bugs. It works well for shrubs, trees, lawns, yards, vegetables, roses, and flowers.
When to Call in a Pro for Tree Pest Control
While you can buy tree insecticides and apply them yourself, there are some important reasons why you might want to consider hiring a professional to deal with pest control for trees.
For one, these store-bought products are not always as effective as commercial-grade tree insecticides. But it’s also a matter of knowing exactly what you’re dealing with. Certain pests require certain products so you first need to be able to identify what’s going on with your tree.
One thing that makes pest control for trees complicated is the fact that damage isn’t always overtly noticeable. It’s often not until a pest has been attacking your tree for a while that you start to notice signs of trouble.
A benefit of having a professional performing tree care in New England is that they’ll also be scouting for signs of a problem while they are on your property. The earlier that you notice something is wrong, the better.
Along with all that, a professional can often also implement preventative measures to protect your tree in the first place. It’s important to recognize that trees can be subject to a number of problems (not just tree pests). Trees can also face problems with disease and environmental stressors. A pro can help with these issues as well.
Of course, hiring a pro also means removing the guesswork and time involved in applying tree insecticides yourself. Instead of having to worry about going and buying these products and properly applying them, a professional can handle all of that for you.
That also means that you don’t have to worry about safety. Storing tree insecticides in your garage or shed might pose a risk if you have pets or children. But when a pro is taking care of this for you, all of those worries are removed.
Choosing Tree Care in Southern NH, Northeastern Massachusetts, and Southern Maine
Pests can be a serious problem for New England trees. But you can take steps to protect your property.
Getting the best care for trees boils down to choosing the best tree care service. In order to make sure that you are choosing wisely, you’ll need to do some research on the companies you are considering.
At Seacoast Tree Care in Southern NH, ME, and MA, we have a team of highly skilled Certified Arborists who can not only perform thorough inspections (to identify problems) but will also help guide you toward the best decisions toward hopefully saving your trees from invasive species. We also offer other tree care services that you may require.
Often, there is a window of time will treatments will work, so it’s important to be prudent. Fortunately, when you partner with a tree care professional, you are likely to be able to preserve your trees and continue enjoying their value.
Ready for healthier trees at your Southern NH, ME, or MA home? Request your consultation and have your New England trees evaluated. By making a wise choice, you’ll know your trees are in good hands.
Image Souce: Hemlock Wolly, Aphids, Winter Moth, Emerald Ash Borer, Beetle
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