You work hard to keep your landscape thriving, only to find puncholes in the leaves of your trees, bark damage, dead branches, and other tell-tale signs of an infestation. Now what?
Learning how to protect trees from pests​ can feel puzzling. Step one is identifying which pest you’re dealing with. Then you need to decide on the right treatment method for your trees.
Below, our team at Executive Tree Care walks you through tips on protecting your trees from pests. For expert help with an infestation, schedule tree services in Blue Bell, PA.
Common Pests That Damage Trees in Blue Bell
Blue Bell’s warm summers and humid conditions create an ideal environment for several destructive tree pests. Knowing the warning signs early can help you protect your landscape and prevent long-term damage to your trees. Here are a few common pests to watch out for:
- Spotted lanternflies: These invasive insects feed on sap and often leave behind sticky honeydew on bark, leaves, patios, and outdoor furniture.
- Emerald ash borers: Ash trees infested with these borers commonly show thinning canopies, D-shaped exit holes in the bark, and increased woodpecker activity.
- Bagworms: Bagworms create small hanging sacs that resemble pinecones or dead foliage on evergreen trees.
- Japanese beetles: These metallic green beetles skeletonize leaves by feeding between the veins, leaving trees with lacy, damaged foliage.
- Aphids: Aphids cluster on leaves and stems, sucking nutrients from trees and leaving curling, yellowing foliage and sticky residue.
- Scale insects: Scale pests attach themselves to bark and branches, often appearing as small bumps or waxy spots.
At-Home Methods for Protecting Trees From Harmful Insects
There are several DIY strategies homeowners can use to help reduce insect activity. If you’re wondering how to protect trees from pests, try these tips:
- Use homemade soap sprays carefully: Mild soap-and-water mixtures are commonly used to help control soft-bodied insects like aphids and mites by coating leaves and disrupting pests on contact. Always test a small area first to avoid leaf damage.
- Apply oil-based deterrent sprays: Some homeowners use diluted vegetable oil mixtures to help discourage insects from feeding on leaves and stems.
- Try natural spice-based repellents: Cinnamon oil, chili powder, and other strongly scented ingredients can sometimes be added to homemade sprays to help deter pests.
The Expertise That Professional Tree Care Services Can Offer
While homemade treatments may help with mild infestations, they typically work best as preventative measures rather than solutions for widespread pest problems. Professional arborists can employ integrated pest management (IPM) strategies that focus on monitoring tree health, accurately identifying pests, and using targeted treatments only when necessary. This whole-property approach considers factors such as soil conditions, surrounding vegetation, watering habits, and environmental stressors to help prevent tree infestations naturally while supporting healthier, long-term landscape growth.
Do You Need Help With Tree Pest Control in Blue Bell, PA?
If you’re still wondering how to protect trees from pests, it’s time to hire a certified arborist. Call Executive Tree Care at (484) 451-8900 to schedule an evaluation of your property today.