The summer is coming to an end and the fall is about to begin. It’s time for Toronto’s residents to take the necessary measures to protect their trees and shrubs from insect pests. This blog will concentrate on tree pests that need to be controlled in Toronto in fall.
We’ll tell you what types of trees and shrubs these insect pests attack and how they should be treated.
Table Of Contents
Northern Pine Weevil
Northern Pine Weevil is the beetle that can cause huge damage to pine Christmas trees. The bug feeds on the bark of young shoots. As a result, tree’s branch tips begin to discolor and crook. Northern Pine Weevil can go unnoticed for long periods. The insect pest usually hides all day long and feeds at night. Oftentimes, heavy infestations of Northern Pine Weevil happen in September. Trees affected by the bug should be sprayed by methoxychlor. The spray is applied to the foliage.
Eastern Spruce Gall Adelgid
Eastern Spruce Gall Adelgid attacks Norway and white spruce as well as black, red and Engelmann spruces. The insect has a soft body of small size. That’s why you may find it hard to detect the bug. Trees infested by the insect pest have pineapple-shaped galls. Other signs of infestation include: dead branch tips, thin foliage as well as untidy appearance. When left untreated, the insect pest will certainly have a huge negative impact on the health of a tree. Trees affected by Eastern Spruce Gall Adelgid should be sprayed in October. Among spays which are used to control the bug are: carbaryl, endosulfan and malathion.
Poplar-and-Willow Borer
Such trees as alder, birch, poplar and willow may become a victim of Poplar-and-Willow Borer. The beetle has an oval body of dark brown color. The bug feeds on green shoots of a tree and creates holes for laying eggs in the bark. Poplar-and-Willow Borer usually does a lot of damage near the base of a tree. Controlling the insect pest is no easy task. Trees attacked by the bug needs to be sprayed. The spraying needs to be done in middle July and then needs to be repeated in September. The spray of endosulfan is applied to the bark of trunk and large limbs. The parts of heavily infested trees have to be cut and destroyed.
Birch Skeletonizer
Those Toronto’s residents who have birches or alders on their properties may need to deal with such an insect pest as Birch Skeletonizer. This pest leaves eggs on tree’s leaves. When larvae appears it starts feeding on leaves. If left untreated, larval mines may destroy leaves on a tree. During the heavy infestations leaves on a tree become completely skeletonized. Leaves dry out, become brown and fall down prematurely. Birch Skeletonizer has to be controlled between the late August and September. A spray of carbaryl is applied to the foliage of a tree that has been attacked by Birch Skeletonizer. Leaves of a heavily infested tree need to be collected and destroyed as well.
Tree pest control is crucial to keeping your trees beautiful and healthy. Do you think that your trees have been attacked by insect pests? Call us today! Tree Doctors are experts in all types of tree infestations. We are always happy to help you eliminate tree insect pests for good!
