Overwintering Pests & How To Prevent Them

Many insects that cause damage to trees will spend the winter attached to the tree in the egg or pre-adult stage. It’s best to control them in these stages, rather than waiting until they begin to cause damage next year or multiply in numbers. They often overwinter attached to small twigs or in small crevices on trees with rough textured bark.

Up Next: Now Is The Time To Start Prepping Your Trees & Lawn For Fall

overwintering pestsControlling overwintering pests means healthier trees. Getting your trees treated now, as well as taking other preventative measures around the home, will go a long way in keeping your trees healthy and property safe.  Treatments for this stage of an insect’s life will be slightly different than treatments prescribed for the growing season. Arborists will typically prescribe horticultural oil sprays for these overwintering pests.

Clean In & Around Your Home

Before winter comes around, take the time to clean in and around your home. This means sealing holes and cracks around doors and windows, clean gutters, and cleaning the house of crumbs and other debris. Don’t forget outside!

Rake up leaves and keep debris away from your home to prevent pests from wintering there. Call an ISA-certified arborist to prune your trees of dead, dying, or diseased limbs to take away homes for pests.

Get Your Trees Treated By An ISA-Certified Arborist

Controlling overwintering pests is a preventive measure that all tree owners should take. Correctly applying the treatment typically requires large spray equipment that arborists include in their arsenal.  Over-the-counter treatments are often not useful and cannot be applied to thoroughly cover twig surfaces. Poor coverage means poor control.

Instead, get your trees treated by an ISA-certified arborist at Hansen’s Tree Service. With years of experience and certifications, they will inspect your trees to determine the right prescription.

Keep Firewood Away From The House

If you keep firewood, place it at least 20 feet away from the house, elevated, and covered. This will discourage pests from making their home and entering yours. Keeping the firewood pile away from the house and other structures will also encourage airflow to prevent rot.

Ready To Nip Pests & Disease In The Bud?

Contact Hansen’s Today To Schedule Your Hassle-Free Estimate!

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