Fall is the perfect time to check for tree pests and diseases on all types of tree species. But how do you tell whether you have beneficial insects or harmful ones on your hands?
Below is a helpful breakdown of the most common pests as advised by Blaine’s trusted tree service company in Washington.
5 Common Tree Pests to Watch Out For in Fall
Several pests cause extensive damage to tree health, so becoming familiar with the top five is a great place to start.
Aphids
Aphids are sap-sucking insects that feed on plant fluids. They appear on nearly every species of plant and can cause all sorts of problems, including stunted growth and yellowing leaves. Aphids are also a vector for disease, so if you see them, it’s best to treat your trees immediately.
Scale Insects
What are the tiny insects feeding on the sap of your plants? If they are hard to see with the naked eye but evident on the stems of the tree, they might be scale insects. You will likely see small bumps or waxy deposits on the trunk or plant stem, which are classic signs of a scale insect infestation.
Professionals like Timber Tree Service LLC may recommend one of the following treatment options:
- Horticultural oil sprays
- Insecticidal soap sprays
Both sprays offer preventative treatments and post-infestation treatments.
Tent Caterpillars
Have you ever seen a brownish-gray moth that lays its eggs on tree leaves in June or July? Once the eggs reach the larval stages and hatch, the larvae weave together leaves into a tent-like structure called a “tangle web.” These tent caterpillar webs protect the larvae from predators as they feed on leaves from your trees.
If you see these telltale tent structures starting to form, act quickly. These hungry larvae can strip entire branches of their foliage, leaving bare twigs and branches that may not survive through winter.
Gypsy Moths
The gypsy moth’s name embodies its famous nomadic behavior, which takes it as far as 40 miles each year. It feeds on different types of trees across North America, causing severe damage to trees by defoliating them.
During mating season (April–August), male moths release pheromones that attract female moths. Female moths lay their fertilized eggs in masses on the trunks of deciduous trees or other surfaces near the host plants. The hatchlings strip the trees fast and leave them vulnerable to disease.
If you see what you suspect to be gypsy moth larvae on your trees, please contact a pest control specialist immediately. They could help save your trees from these destructive invaders and stop the spread of these tree pests.
Spider Mites
Spider mites are tiny, but they can do plenty of damage to an otherwise healthy tree. You can’t see them with the naked eye, but you can spot them if you look closely at the underside of your leaves. They have pale yellow bodies and move quickly to spread their eggs on nearby leaves and branches.
How do experts like Timber Tree Service LLC get rid of spider mites? Our go-to solution usually involves horticultural oil or insecticidal soap in the fall.
Chat with Our Local Tree Experts for More Tree Care Advice
Are insect pests harming your beautiful trees or plants? Contact the ISA-certified arborists at Timber Tree Service LLC for high-quality tree care services that include the following:
- Tips for how to care for new trees
- Pruning services to remove dead or diseased branches
- Yard cleanup after storms
- Tree removal and more
Call Timber Tree Service LLC at 360-441-5033 today and keep your plants and trees safe from tree pests in Blaine, WA, and the surrounding areas.
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