Pine bark beetles are an invasive species in many areas of the United States and are a particular problem in southeastern states, especially North Carolina. They tend to infest dying or weakened pine trees, and they kill them shortly after infestation due to bark damage and obstruction of water and food passageways.
If you’re wondering how to get rid of pine bark beetles and save your trees, you’ve come to the right place! Thankfully, once you identify the pine bark battles, you can safely remove them from your trees with common insecticides.
If you need help removing pine bark beetles, consider hiring a top-rated pest control company:
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How to Identify the Pine Bark Beetle
Identifying a pine bark beetle infestation will be your first step in getting rid of the invasive pests and helping your tree survive.
Pine bark beetles are extremely small insects, generally ranging from around 2.5mm up to 6mm in length. They have dark brown or black bodies and rows of small spines running down the length of their backs. They’re very difficult to spot, especially since they bore inside your tree and remain virtually undetectable while they feed on the inner bark.
The best way to confirm a pine bark beetle issue is to identify signs of an infestation rather than the bugs themselves. Below are the most common symptoms of a pine bark beetle problem.
“Frass” or Dust On Your Trees
As pine bark beetles feed on the inner bark, they leave behind a rusty brown or reddish dust near their entry holes, also called pitch tubes. This dust is usually the first indication of an issue and should immediately trigger you to take action.
Dripping Sap
If your infected pine tree is still thriving or even partially alive, it will likely leak sap from any area of damage to the bark. Luckily for those with a pine bark beetle infestation, this holds true for the insects’ pitch tubes. If you notice sap oozing from areas on the tree bark, take a closer look and see if you can identify the beetle’s boring hole.
Bark Tunnels
Pine bark beetles are named after the method by which they feed, which is to bore into the bark of a tree and meander through the inside bark and sapwood. Although it’s not advisable to remove bark from a tree, if a piece does happen to fall off, you can confirm an infestation by finding channels dug into the sapwood.
Southern pine beetles tend to develop an S-shaped tunnel, pine engraver beetles move in a “Y” or “H” pattern, and black turpentine beetles create large gouges that move downward from the pitch tube.
Don’t Be Fooled By Other Bugs!
When you’re identifying pine bark beetles, make sure you confirm the insect type carefully. June bugs are often mistaken for pine bark beetles because of their similar size, shape, and color. However, they live in your lawn and feed on grass and shrubs rather than boring through tree bark.
Other beetles common in areas where pine bark beetles are prevalent can also look similar. Remember: seeing a small, black beetle isn’t confirmation of a pine bark beetle infestation. You should always check for pitch tubes, frass, or symptoms of pine tree death to confirm. You can also call in an arborist for a professional opinion.
Pine Bark Beetle Inspection
Regularly inspect your pine trees to catch pine bark beetle infestations early. Look for small holes in the bark, reddish-brown dust around these holes, and sap oozing from the tree. Also, check for S-shaped, Y-shaped, or vertical tunnels etched into the inner bark or sapwood.
If you notice any of these signs, you likely have pine bark beetles and should begin treatment ASAP. If you still don’t know what to look for, hire an arborist in your area to look over your pine trees.
How to Get Rid of the Pine Bark Beetle
Once you’ve identified pine bark beetles in your tree, chances are slim that the tree will make it. Since weakened trees emit chemicals that attract this beetle, you have to move quickly. Immediate treatment can help the tree survive, but tree removal might be required. Below are the top five ways to get rid of pine bark beetles at all stages of their life cycle.
1. Sylo Insecticide
Your first option is to spray your infected tree liberally with Sylo insecticide, which is likely available at your local hardware store. Its active ingredient, Cypermethrin, can kill off pine bark beetles that have not yet bored into your otherwise healthy tree, so immediate application is crucial.
2. Dominion 2L
Dominion 2L, another insecticide available at your local hardware store, is one that you can apply to the soil around the tree trunk. The infected tree will take in the active ingredient, which will then be present in the sapwood the beetles are consuming.
3. Get Professional Help
If a DIY insecticide application isn’t working, you might opt to call in a professional arborist or exterminator. These experts likely have an applicator’s license, which allows them to use more powerful commercial insecticide and pesticide formulations, like Dursban 4E and Sumithion 8E.
4. Use a Boring Hole Application
If you’re concerned about spraying insecticides on your property, you can try using one that gets applied inside the boring holes. A product like FS+ Multi-Purpose Insecticide produces minimal overspray and can kill large numbers of beetles in each infested pitch tube.
5. Remove the Tree
Unfortunately, many pine bark infestations result in the need to remove the stressed tree and stump entirely. Doing so will help limit the risk of an infestation outbreak in other trees, which is a foregone conclusion if the issue is left untreated.
How to Prevent Pine Bark Beetles
Treating pine bark beetles is challenging, so preventing an infestation is often a better option. Below are the three best ways to keep pine bark beetles away from uninfected trees.
1. Dominion 2L
Dominion 2L, mentioned as a treatment above, can also be sprayed on your tree as a preventative measure. Application with a sprayer every few months during the adult beetles’ active season will drastically reduce the chance of a problem.
2. Proper Pruning
Carrying our regular and responsible pruning will help keep your tree healthy, which will assist it in avoiding an infestation. Use a pruning paste made of diatomaceous earth to protect the cut areas. If you’re unfamiliar with good pruning practices, hire a professional.
3. Mulch Around Your Trees
Mulch can help reduce the chance of a pine bark beetle infestation because it helps keep roots healthy and properly watered. Weakened trees are more susceptible to beetle infestations, so mulch will improve your yard’s aesthetic and help keep the invasive insects at bay.
June bugs are often mistaken for pine bark beetles because of their similar size, shape, and color. However, they live in your lawn and feed on grass and shrubs rather than boring through tree bark.
Should You Hire an Arborist or Pest Control for Pine Bark Beetles?
If you’re not confident in your ability to diagnose and treat a pine bark beetle infestation yourself, it’s best to call in a professional arborist or exterminator. They have the expertise to accurately assess the situation and access to more powerful insecticides that your infested trees may need.
For severe beetle damage and infestations, I recommend hiring a local arborist to safely remove the tree if necessary to prevent the beetles from spreading.
For new infestations, I recommend Orkin, Terminix, and Aptive pest control companies. These exterminators have some of the best-trained professionals who can use traps, baits, and other chemically treated solutions that are often more effective than standard DIY methods for pine bark beetle control.
For Terminix quotes, you can reach them at 866-506-2303 or with this form.
For quotes from Orkin, call 877-831-3660 or fill out this form.
For a free quote from Aptive, call 855-426-9774 or visit the company’s website.
Key Takeaways
Pine bark beetles are definitely tree killers — but if you know how to identify, treat, and prevent them, you can save your trees. The best ways to get rid of pine bark beetles are by applying insecticides like Sylo or Dominion 2L, using a borer hole treatment, or removing the tree in severe cases. Stopping them from infesting in the first place through good tree maintenance is even better. Don’t let pine bark beetles claim your trees – fight back and protect your landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, if you catch it very early and begin treatment immediately, but more systemic infestations will likely kill the tree.
Once symptoms appear, the tree can die in 2-4 weeks if you don’t treat it. The beetle larvae reproduce quickly inside the bark.
If the infestation is severe, removing the tree is the best way to keep the beetles from spreading to other trees.
