Waterloo Tree Cutting Services: 3 Pests That Cause Damage

Your trees don’t only provide shade and comfort from the summer sun, they are also an investment in your home. Knowing the threats to your trees can give them a longer life. Here are three common tree pests with information on how to spot them. Watch for signs of pests and ask for professional tree cutting services to take care of your trees.

Emerald Ash Borer

The Emerald Ash Borer only attacks ash trees, but when it does, it can cause a lot of damage. The adult EAB beetles are bright green in colour and about ½-inch long, but you may see other signs before finding the actual beetles. You may see S-shaped tubes on your ash tree that is packed with sawdust or frass. You may also find D-shaped holes in the bark where adults come out of the trees. If you find a lot of woodpecker damage, it could be that your tree is infested. Woodpeckers like the larvae. It’s suspected that these beetles came from Asia through packing material. EAB beetles kill millions of ash trees annually. The insecticides used to control the emerald ash beetles must be applied correctly to effectively treat this pest. Professionals are recommended to handle this because it is an injection into the trunk.

Gypsy Moth

The Entomological Society of America has changed the name of the gypsy moth to spongy moth. It’s the caterpillar that causes damage to trees, defoliating millions of acres of trees across North America each year. In the spring, you may see teardrop-shaped egg masses on the tree trunks in your yard. The gypsy/spongy moth likes many different varieties of deciduous trees, from maples, oaks, willows, birch, apple, hawthorns, and more. The caterpillars may not kill the tree in the first year of infestation, but the damage will weaken the tree structure over time and potentially kill the tree. Eradicating the spongy moth can be difficult. The larvae must feed on leaves that have been treated with the insecticide. Just coming into contact with the insecticide is not enough to kill the population. It’s best to work with a professional who can tent the tree and make sure the insecticide is released to the right areas.

Western Tent Caterpillar

A colony of western tent caterpillars can strip a tree very quickly. They prefer poplar, aspen, cottonwood and fruit trees, but they can attack many different varieties of trees. The first sign of these caterpillars is the white silken tent that appears in late spring. These tents will appear in the crooks of the tree, not on the end of the branches, which are different types of pests, the fall webworm. Tent worms are native to North America, so they aren’t considered an invasive species, like the gypsy moth or emerald ash borer.

The tent worm isn’t as damaging to a tree as the other pests mentioned, but it can make your trees look uncared for. The tent caterpillars feed other garden helpers. It’s natural to want to eradicate them, but you don’t want to completely destroy the population, just keep a healthy balance to prevent over-population.  

Monitor Your Trees For Pests

Keeping your trees healthy means that you should watch for signs of disease and pests. Professional tree experts can help you find minor problems before they get overwhelming.  Correct identification of the problem is key. If your trees are showing signs of decay or death, we may be able to revive the tree with the right treatment. Contact Martin’s Tree Service for tree removal in Waterloo. We can help you take care of your trees for lasting beauty in your yard.