Elm Leaf Beetle

Turning over a new leaf (or several new leaves) is important when it comes to elm leaf beetle control. The insect deposits its eggs on leaves, so flip some leaves and check for eggs and larvae during the growing season. Eggs range in color from yellow to gray and larvae look like small caterpillars. If either eggs or larvae are present on the leaves, your tree might have an elm leaf beetle infestation.

Elm Leaf Beetle Control Methods

The most successful treatment option combines prevention, natural enemies and accurate chemical application.

Remove any dead or dying branches and discard them away from the tree as a preventive measure. Adequate irrigation is important to bolster tree health. Watering becomes very important during a drought.

Elm leaf beetle larvae overwinter in protected areas such as woodpiles or houses. Brush off firewood before bringing it indoors and caulk cracks and cover openings with screening to keep larvae out of the house.

Mother Nature provides insect enemies for each stage of the elm leaf beetle’s life cycle. The pest is also killed by long winters or by a late spring freeze. Wind that blows the larvae off trees is also a natural solution to infestation.

Specific insecticides work well if applied properly and at the correct time of year. A caulking/insecticide combination is highly effective at keeping larvae out of the house as temperatures drop. And a wide band of insecticide applied around the trunk will kill the larvae as they migrate down the trunk in early fall. Some insecticides are effective if carefully injected into the tree or into the ground at the base of the tree.

If you suspect your elm tree may be infected by elm leaf beetles, contact SprayTech, Colorado tree health experts, at 720-248-0000 to discuss identification and treatment options.