Making Trees More Beautiful

Posted on: 11 March 2021

Usually, if unwanted or harmful bugs are hanging out around your property, your response would be to call a pest control company. There are times, though, when the phone call you make really should be to a tree service. This is because some bugs are a major threat to your trees. They may harm the tree directly, or they may introduce fungi or bacteria that infect the tree. So, what bugs should cause you to call a tree service? Here are the three major ones.

Emerald Ash Borer

If you have an ash tree and you begin to see bright green beetles on that tree, you need to call a tree service ASAP. Emerald ash borers are named for their emerald green color and the fact that they bore into a tree's wood, which causes extensive damage and eventually death. For years, there was no treatment for these infestations, but now tree services can inject a tree's trunk with insecticides and, in many cases, save the tree's life. However, this has to be done early to be successful.

Gypsy Moths

Gypsy moths lay their eggs on various trees. The eggs hatch into larvae, which then eat the tree's leaves. While a gypsy moth infestation alone does not usually kill a tree, it can weaken the tree and make it more likely to die from other causes. Gypsy moths are brown, spotted, and about 1 inch wide with symmetrical wings. Their larval caterpillars are about 2 inches long and green with blue and red spots. You may see these insects on almost any tree. A tree care service can come spray the tree with insecticides, which should kill the moths and their larvae before too much damage is done. 

Elm Bark Beetle

Elm bark beetles are a type of beetle that spreads Dutch elm disease, a really deadly infection of elm trees. These beetles are typically medium to dark brown in color, about 3/4 inch long, and have six thick legs. By the time you see elm bark beetles on an elm tree, there is a very good chance that tree has already been infected with Dutch elm disease, which means it very likely will die. However, you should still call a tree service. They can come remove the tree, sooner rather than later, to help keep the beetles and Dutch elm disease from spreading throughout the neighborhood.

Certain bugs can be really damaging to trees. However, a tree service can ensure the proper actions are taken.