Pine Bark Beetle

Bark beetles normally infest only trees in decline, but may also attack drought stressed trees, and healthy trees close to heavily infested trees.

Leaves of infested trees will be small and discolored, and may drop prematurely. The bark will have many small holes which may show signs of sap or sawdust.

In the spring, adult bark beetles fly in search of weakened trees. The beetles will infest a tree by burrowing through the bark to build galleries between the bark and the wood, in which they will lay their eggs. The larvae will tunnel out of the galleries in all directions along the cambium layer, which is the tree's conduit for delivering water and nutrients from the roots to the leaves.

Trees which are heavily infested should be removed, and the bark burned before the larvae can mature into adult beetles. Wood from felled trees should not be stored unless the bark is removed and destroyed, or if there is evidence of disease or infestation in the heartwood. A professional arborist can help in identification of wood that should be destroyed.

Tress which are less heavily infested can be treated with a borer-specific insecticide applied with a high-pressure sprayer.

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