.png){kind=logo}
Winter may bring a sense of dormancy to your yard, but many pests don’t take the season off. Several species of tree-damaging insects use the cold months to overwinter in or around trees, preparing to wreak havoc when spring arrives.
Here are the winter pests to watch for and how to protect your trees from their impact.
1. Borers
Borers, such as emerald ash borers and bark beetles, are notorious for burrowing into tree trunks and branches. These pests weaken trees by disrupting their nutrient flow, leading to dieback and eventual tree death if left untreated.
How to Protect Against Borers:
Inspect trees regularly for signs of holes, sawdust-like residue, or bark peeling.
Remove and dispose of infested wood promptly to prevent spreading.
Consult a tree care professional to determine if other preventative measures are necessary.
2. Scale Insects
Scale insects latch onto branches and trunks, feeding on tree sap and weakening the tree over time. During winter, they often appear as small, hard bumps on tree bark, making them easy to overlook.
How to Protect Against Scale Insects:
Prune and dispose of heavily infested branches.
Encourage natural predators, like ladybugs, to keep populations in check.
3. Aphid Eggs
While aphids are more active in the warmer months, their eggs can overwinter on tree branches and bark. These eggs hatch in spring, leading to infestations that can stunt tree growth and attract other pests.
How to Protect Against Aphid Eggs:
Inspect trees for egg clusters on branches and remove them manually.
Apply horticultural oils during the dormant season to prevent hatching.
Maintain tree health to make them less vulnerable to aphid damage.
4. Spider Mites
Spider mites are tiny pests that thrive in dry conditions. Although their activity slows in winter, some species overwinter as eggs on trees and shrubs, waiting for warmer weather to resume feeding.
How to Protect Against Spider Mites:
Keep trees well-watered during dry spells to reduce stress.
Remove heavily infested leaves or branches during pruning.
5. Tent Caterpillars
Tent caterpillars lay egg masses on tree branches in late fall, which remain dormant through the winter. Once hatched in spring, the larvae feed voraciously on tree leaves, defoliating branches and stressing the tree.
How to Protect Against Tent Caterpillars:
Identify and remove egg masses from tree branches during winter.
Prune infested branches ASAP if caterpillars appear in spring.
6. Overwintering Beetles
Various beetle species, such as the Asian longhorned beetle, lay eggs on or within trees. The larvae bore into the wood, disrupting the tree’s structure and nutrient flow, causing long-term damage.
How to Protect Against Beetles:
Remove dead or dying trees from your property to eliminate potential hosts.
Inspect tree bark for signs of beetle activity, such as exit holes or sawdust.
7. Spongy Moth Eggs
Spongy moths are invasive pests whose larvae can strip trees of their foliage. The eggs, laid in fuzzy tan masses on tree trunks, overwinter and hatch in spring, leading to defoliation and tree stress.
How to Protect Against Gypsy Moth Eggs:
Scrape egg masses off tree trunks and dispose of them properly.
Encourage the presence natural predators (like birds) and consider traps to reduce moth populations.
Winter Tree Care Tips
Winter is the perfect time to take preventive measures against pests that harm your trees. Here’s how you can ensure your trees stay healthy:
Prune Wisely: Remove dead, damaged, or infested branches to limit pest habitats.
Inspect Regularly: Check trees for signs of eggs, borers, or other overwintering pests.
Maintain Tree Health: Healthy trees are more resilient to pests, so water and mulch appropriately, even during winter.
Comments