Treatment Options for MPB

 

 

Our first recommendation:

Spray tree trunks with high dosages of chemicals registered to kill the insects. Certain formulations of Carbaryl (Sevin and others) Permethrin (Astro and others), and Bifenthrin (Onyx) are registered for use to prevent attacks on individual trees. These sprays are applied to living green trees in March - May to kill or deter attacking insects. This method kills not only MPB, but many of the other insects that are attacking our trees. This preventive spray is quite effective through one growing season. The cost for this is based on the size and number of trees you have. It needs to be applied by a commercial applicator with a high pressure sprayer to reach the tree tops. The cost ranges from $7.00 for a small tree to $200.00 per tree. If you have one large Pine in Red Lodge and we need to pay someone to drive there to spray, it could cost $200.00. Our minumum service call charge is $60.00. Price varies with location and number of trees. Contact us to arrange an application or get a quote over the phone or through email. Have the total number of tree inches in circumference at breast height on hand for a fast quote.

 

Our second recommendation:

Inject a chemical directly into the trunk of the tree controlling the insects as they emerge from the tree or feed under the bark.  We only recommend this option if it looks like only a few insects have attacked the tree and the goal is to kill them before they cause more internal damage. The tree would have to be very heathy and vigourous for this to be effective. The injections would have to be put in the tree within 2 weeks of a successful attack to be effective. The tree would also need to be a valuable asset to the landscape to qualify for spending more money to insure survival. This chemical is called Inject-A-Cide and it can be used anytime from early Spring thru October. It needs to be applied by a commercial applicator. The downside to this method is the short 30 day effective time period, unlike the sprays mentioned above that last a whole season. The cost ranges from $12.00 for a small tree to $200.00 per tree. If you have one large Pine in Columbus, we would need to add driving time, so the cost to inject it could cost $200.00. Our minumum service call charge is $60.00. Price varies with location and number of trees. Contact us to arrange an application or get a quote through email or over the phone. Have the total number of tree inches in circumference at breast height on hand for a fast quote.

 

Our third recommendation:

Use a natural repellent. Verbenone is a safe method that can be purchased and applied by homeowners. It is mixed with other substances so that it will be released into the air over several weeks, thereby repelling and confusing beetles looking for trees for reproduction. They will find another stressed Pine that hasn't been sprayed or treated and attack it, usually a neighbors' Pine tree or trees. Pouches containing the mixture are hung on trees 10 to 12 feet above the ground and on the north side to reduce drying from the sun. The downside to this method is it lasts less than 100 days and doesn't control all the insects that Spraying or Injecting controls. Timing is very critical to avoid wasting your money. It needs to be installed on the tree when the beetles are in flight, usually around the end of June. The cost ranges from $25.00 to $50.00 per tree if you do it yourself. The pouches are about $25.00 each, small trees need one, and larger trees need 2 pouches. We will begin to stock this product and apply it if there is a high demand. If you want us to install the pouches for you, we can use the ones you bought or use ones we buy. We would charge you for the labor to install them, and the price varies with location and number of trees. Our minumum service call charge is $60.00.

 

Do it Yourself! There are some local retailers that are beginning to stock the natural repellent Verbenone. Sylvan Nursery on Shiloh Road and Ace Hardware are planning on stocking this product for consumer use. The cost for 2 pouches at Sylvan Nursery is 49.99. Visit this site to learn more about Verbenone: http://www.shop4-verbenone.com