Salem Tree Care: Common Signs Of Insect Infestations

In Salem, Oregon, it’s easy to spot the visible signs of unwanted insect infestations if you know what to look for. However, it’s easy to dismiss many observable symptoms. After all, many times it’s just a few tiny holes or a slight withering of a tree’s foliage. Unfortunately, if an infestation goes untreated, the health, beauty, and integrity of a tree can suffer. In fact, the problem can progress to the point where a tree cannot be brought back to health and must be removed before an infestation spreads to other nearby trees.

That’s why preventative tree care is so important. It’s always easier to prevent a problem rather than waiting for it to become a destructive issue and reacting after the fact. With that in mind, the certified arborist at Westcoast Tree Care would like to provide you with the common signs of insect infestations to ensure they are identified before irreparable damage to your trees is done.

Boring Insects

Boring insects are one of the most destructive pests of trees throughout the Pacific Northwest. These unwanted pests can easily infect and kill trees by tunneling inside of a tree and feeding on its inner bark. Though external signs may be minimal, devastating internal injuries can make it difficult for a tree to transport water and necessary nutrients.  

Symptoms

• Exit holes in the trunk or branches
• Sawdust-like debris or frass
• Loss of leaves

Notable Pests

• Emerald Ash Borer
• Asian Longhorned Beetle
• Ambrosia Beetle
• Bronze Birch Borer
• Two-lined Chestnut Borer
• Weevils and Bark Beetles

Chewing Insects

Holes and unsightly chewing damage is a trademark sign of an insect infestation that consumes the leaves or needles of a tree resulting in noticeable disfigurement. While minor defoliation isn’t typically a serious problem, a severe infestation that’s left untreated can significantly reduce a tree’s ability to grow and thrive.

Symptoms

• Nests or the insects themselves
• Holes in leaves
• Skeletonization or the complete removal of leaf tissue
• Unseasonable loss of leaves

Notable Pests

• Winter Moth
• Gypsy Moth
• Tent Caterpillars
• Oak Processionary Moth
• Webworms
• Oakworm
• Cankerworm
• Leaf Beetles and Leaf Miners

Sucking Insects

There are a wide variety of insects that survive by sucking the sap and nutrients from a tree with tiny, needle-like mouths. Due to their small size, these unwanted insects can often go undetected for years resulting in a growing, damaging population over time that could have easily been prevented.

Symptoms

• Withered leaves
• Branch and tip dieback
• Loss of needles or premature leaf drop
• The presence of sticky sap or honeydew
• A coating of sooty mold

Notable Pests

• Mites
• Scales
• Aphids
• Whiteflies
• Psyllids
• Adelgids

Salem Tree Care

If an insect infestation goes untreated, it can be hard to get rid off. Fortunately, however, there are a wide variety of options available when it comes to treating and preventing these unwanted pests. Caught early, treatments like pruning and trimming can be highly effective. In heavily infested trees, however, a tree may have to be removed as soon as possible to prevent it from spreading to other nearby, healthy trees.

Do what’s right for your home, landscape and the environment. If you suspect an insect infestation, it’s important to contact the certified arborist at Westcoast Tree Care at 1.800.767.8733. Our certified arborist is keenly invested in keeping your trees healthy, alive and beautiful using educated and sustainable practices to prevent the spread of these damaging pests.