Spruce Beetle Infestation Control

A spruce beetle infestation is damaging to your spruce trees. It is deadly to the trees in the majority of cases, as the feeding galleries the beetles create prevent the trees from gaining nutrition. You will need the help of a professional tree surgeon to help with spruce beetle control and management.

Nature Attempts to Control Spruce Beetles

Nature attempts to keep population sizes of the beetles to a manageable level. Woodpeckers and other birds prey on the insects, while cold temperatures lead to the beetles dying. However, beetles have learned to adapt. They will borrow themselves into the bases of the trees. This makes it harder for birds to get to them and gives them insulation from the snow when it falls.
There are also times that the spruce beetle levels reach epidemic proportions. This is when you will need a tree surgeon to manage the population. In some cases, removing the infested tree is the best way to protect the others around it.

Other Spruce Beetle Control Options

One of the best options to avoid an infestation is through a preventative spray. This is applied yearly to stop the beetles from infesting and damaging trees. However, the sprays are ineffective on trees that already have a spruce beetle population.
When you have an infected tree, you can use solar treatments. The treatments will make the trees inhabitable for the beetles. This is gained by felling the infested trees and then stacking the logs in direct sun, covering with plastic to make sure the inside gets extremely hot. A tree surgeon can periodically turn the logs to ensure the beetles don’t hide underneath the logs to avoid the direct heat.
Sometimes, a tree surgeon service will purposely infect a tree. It’s used as bait to trap the beetles and remove them before infecting other trees in the area.
Knowing your options will help you discuss your needs with a company. This ensures you get the best option for your particular spruce beetle control needs.

If you have spruce beetle infestation on your property or would like to schedule a preventive beetle spraying, contact SprayTech at 720.248.0000.