Pine bark beetles can do serious damage to any tree, including your pine trees. They breed in the fallen pine needles and they’re fierce! They tunnel into the side of your pine tree’s trunk, sucking away its juice and food until the whole tree becomes weak and suffers. We’ve tried to figure out the best way to get rid of them, by talking to arborists and applying insecticides to our trees ourselves.
Insecticide For Pine Trees
There are no effective systemic pesticide treatments that will kill mountain pine beetle larvae inside the tree or adults as they emerge from an infested tree. Pesticide treatments are limited to protecting trees from becoming infested. These treatments are applied to the bark to kill the adult beetles as they land on the trunk and begin to burrow into the tree. This method of protection is highly effective and if the pesticides are applied at right time, losses may be as few as one or two trees for every hundred trees treated. However, only trees that are not infested should be treated. If a tree is already infested, pesticide application will not prevent the beetles from emerging and infested other trees.
Pesticide treatments are an effective way protecting high-value pine trees from mountain pine beetle. If there is mountain pine beetle activity within several miles of the property, protecting high value trees from attack may necessary. Generally it is more effective for homeowners to hire a commercial applicator with the experience and equipment to properly treat and protect the trees. If homeowners prefer to treat their own trees, the following are some guidelines to consider.
Pesticides to use
The pesticides that are most commonly used and labeled for bark beetle control have bifienthrin (commonly sold as Onyx), carbaryl (commonly sold as Sevin) or permethrin (commonly sold as Astro) as their active ingredient. There are products containing these active ingredients that are not restricted use so may be applied by homeowners however the specific product purchased must be labeled for bark beetle control. There are garden products of these pesticides that are not formulated for bark beetles and these will be ineffective. There are also products containing these active ingredients that may only be applied by commercial applicators with appropriate pesticide certification.
When to treat
The pesticides currently available are only effective for preventing a successful attack by the mountain pine beetle. They must be applied before the beetles begin to emerge in the summer and seek new hosts. We recommend that the application be applied during the month of May. This is sufficiently early enough to ensure that the beetles may not have already attacked the tree and are now inside the bark and protected from the pesticide. The application will only be effective for that season so trees that are in an area with mountain pine beetle activity must be treated every May to continue protection. Also do not spray if there is a threat of rain within 6 hours of application.
How to apply
The bark of the trunk must be treated so that is thoroughly wetted with the pesticide just to the point of runoff, merely misting the trunk will not allow for penetration of the pesticide into the bark fissures and cracks. The pesticide should be applied completely around the trunk from the base to a point where the trunk tapers to a diameter of 3 or 4 inches. Homeowners attempting to treat their own trees should be sure that their sprayer has sufficient pressure to wet the upper trunk of their trees. A hydraulic sprayer with at least 250 psi is needed for small trees, those that are less than 25 feet tall, while 400 psi or more is required to treat tall trees, those over 50 feet.
Important Considerations
Homeowners considering treating their own trees are cautioned to use the proper equipment and only applied pesticides that are labeled for use for this purpose. Applications must not exceed labeled rates. Homeowners should read and follow all precautions and safety recommendations provided on the pesticide container label. Homeowners may not treat trees that are not on their property unless they are a certified applicator. Contact the South Dakota Department of Agriculture Division of Agricultural Services for more information. Any treatment recommendations, including those identifying specific pesticides, are for the convenience of the reader. Pesticides mentioned in this publication are generally those that are most commonly available to the public in South Dakota and the inclusion of a product shall not be taken as an endorsement or the exclusion a criticism regarding effectiveness. Please read and follow all label instructions and the label is the final authority for a product’s use on a particular pest or plant. It is the reader’s responsibility to determine if they can legally apply any product identified in this publication.
Insecticide For Pine Trees
List Of Insecticide For Pine Trees
Acecap AC4X75 Tree Implant, Brown
Price : $133.55
Features :
- No chemical exposure to applicator or the environment
- Season-long control of tree pests, up to two seasons in evergreen trees
- 10 implants will treat a 14 inch diameter trunk
- Tools required to treat: tape measure, cordless drill with 3/8 inch bit, hammer and bolt or dowel rod
- Ready to install – no measuring of chemicals
Additional Info :
| Color | Brown |
| Item Dimensions | |
| Height | 0.38 Inches |
| Width | 1.25 Inches |
| Length | 0.38 Inches |
| Weight | 0.1 Pounds |
Acecap 25-Pack Systemic Insecticide Tree Implants for Control of Tree Pests, 3/8-Inch
Price : $20.32
Features :
- No chemical exposure to applicator or the environment
- Season-long control of tree pests, up to two seasons in evergreen trees
- 10 implants will treat a 14 inch diameter trunk
- Tools required to treat: tape measure, cordless drill with 3/8 inch bit, hammer and bolt or dowel rod
- Ready to install – no measuring of chemicals
Mauget Dinocide Insecticide, Tree Injector, Insecticide, Containing Dinotefuran, The Same Active Ingredient as Safari Insecticide (24 Caps, 4 ml)
Price : $248.40
Features :
- DINOCIDE is the first and only Dinotefuran (Safari) insecticide available for tree injections
- Dinotefuran, is a translaminar which means it can pass from a tree’s xylem to its phloem
- May be Combined with certain fungicides when treating for beetles that carry fungi (ambrosia).
- Aimed at controlling scale insects, a class of pests that harm trees and shrubs by sucking plant juices from tree leaves, twigs or bark. Members of the class include Q and B biotype whiteflies, Japanese beetles, mealybugs and flathead borers.
- Completely enclosed system, minimal risk application method.
Mauget Abacide 2 3ml, Tree Injector, Insecticide, Miticide, Containing 2% Abamectin
Price : $162.81
Features :
- TREE INJECTION in Generation II capsules is a closed-system product containing 2% abamectin, a xylem/ phloem mobile insecticide for use on forest, woodland, Christmas, seed cone nurseries/orchards, and ornamental trees.
- PROVIDES SUPERIOR MANAGEMENT options for difficult to control phloem-feeding insects with a single application
- RESIDENTIAL OR PUBLIC areas such as parks, golf courses, cemeteries, schools, street tree plantings and interior landscaping.
- STANDARD INJECTION spacing is every 6 circumference inches with the exception of narrow-leaved evergreen trees such as pine, spruce, larch or hemlock the spacing should decrease to every 4 inches of circumference to facilitate better distribution.
- Aphids, Black Turpintine Beetle, Oakworm, Tent Caterpillar, Bark Beetles (Cedar, Cypress, Juniper, Pine, Redwood) Douglas Fir Cone Moth, Eastern Tent Caterpillar, Engraver Beetles, Fall Web Worm, Gypsy Moth, Leaf Miners, Lepidoptera Insects, Mountain Pine Beetles, Nantucket Pine Tip Moths, Pine Engraver Beetles, Pine Nematode, Pine Wilt Nematode, Red Turpentine Beetles, Rugose Spiraling Whitefly, Pine Beetle, Spider Mites, Sycamore Lace Bug, Thrips, Pine Beetles, Whiteflies, Winter Moth
Acecap AC1210 Systemic Insecticide Tree Implants, Pack of 10
Price : $20.77
Features :
- ACECAP Systemic Tree Implants 98.9% Ace hate 10 Pack 12ea Easy to use systemic insecticide implants for control of destructive pests of ornamental trees
- Applied in spring, the treatment will provide season-long control of many insects, including Aphids, Bagworms, Borers, Budworms, California Oak worm, Cankerworm, Case bearer, Elm Leaf Beetle, Gypsy Moth etc.
- The sap flow dissolves the chemical and carries it throughout the tree in 4 to 5 days. Ten implants will effectively treat up to a 14″ trunk diameter
- Systemic insecticide tree implants
- Contains 99 percent acephate, a highly effective systemic insecticide for broad spectrum insect control
- Acecaps are registered for use against aphids, bagworms, bronze birch borer, gypsy moth, tent caterpillar, wooly adelgid, and many more
- Easy to install; 5 implants per pack
- Provides readers with practical, easy-toaccomplish tips and tasks
Bonide (BND611) – Annual Tree and Shrub Insect Control, Insecticide/Pesticide Concentrate (1 gal.)
Price : $24.97
Features :
- INSECT KILLER – This pest control is great for use on adelgids, aphids, bronze birch borers, emerald ash borer, leaf miners, scale, and many other species of bug. Will also prevent new infestations.
- SOIL DRENCH APPLICATION – Concentrate dissolves in water allowing the insecticide to move through the root zone. Once in the roots, it moves up through the tree or shrub providing protection from insects. Also provides protection for new growth.
- FOLIAGE PROTECTOR – Designed for use on listed fruit, nut and ornamental trees and shrubs.
- WON’T WASH AWAY – Tree and Shrub Insect Control is rainproof within hours. For best results, spray with enough time for it to completely dry before it rains. Will not wash off after it has dried.
- EASY APPLICATION – Product quickly mixes with water and should be applied by pouring or with backpack, compression, knapsack or tank type sprayers. Carefully read and use according to label directions.
Additional Info :
| Color | LAWNGARD |
| Item Dimensions | |
| Height | 11.8 Inches |
| Width | 7.5 Inches |
| Length | 4.5 Inches |
| Weight | 8.2 Pounds |