It would be very nice to think that their cycle is ending. However, we talk to the Forest Service and other people all over the Western US. Montana was particularly hard-hit last year (2019). The Eastern Slope of Colorado is getting worse, and South Dakota is suffering more. This year (2018), Mariposa, California is suffering a big hit. It is an unfortunate fact that until the trees are gone or the weather gets colder, the Beetles are happy and flourishing.
2014: New Mexico and Montana engaged in a furious battle with THE BEETLE! Pine beetles are making their presence known in these two states in a big way this year. Both states experienced a huge up-tick in infestation starting last year that continues through this season.
Montana added Missoula, Kalispell, and Billings to the list of hard-hit areas. And the beetles continue to move.
Two years ago, Montana was caught off guard and the flight season lasted longer than anticipated. Most protection ran out before the beetles quit flying. That added to the areas that became infested.
In New Mexico, Riodoso, Cloudcroft, Mayhill, and areas of the Sacramento Mountains are hard hit. The worst news about New Mexico is that the Beetle is already flying in 2014 season. New Mexico will experience a double flight season due to its lower latitude.
The New Mexico Forest Service is recommending treating twice this season: Once immediately, and again in August to keep protection going through November and snow season. (No matter which brand of Verbenone packets you choose, treating twice in New Mexico is necessary)
Colorado in 2014 is experiencing a particularly warm and wet Spring after torrential rains and floods in September 2013. This bodes well for pine beetle control. Trees that are not stressed by drought can fight the boring insect better because they have enough moisture to produce pitch to trap the beetle before it can bore all of the way into the tree to lay eggs.
In 2017-2018 the Eastern Slope of Colorado has not received its good share of moisture. Spring could still bring some high snows, but if the weather stays dry and the trees get stressed, the beetle will have a picnic.
The winter of 2018 is wrecking havoc on Mariposa, California. Lack of rain persists. Ponderosas 3 ft in diameter are falling prey to beetles infestation in huge numbers. Right: See Carl Casey of Mariposa, California standing next to a huge Ponderosa Pine near Calaveras Big Trees State Park, CA.
The battle is not won. It is easy to relax. Don't let up just because you think your little patch of heaven is clear. An ounce of prevention is still worth a TON of cure.
Research shows that it takes about 40 successful beetles to actually kill a tree. The problem is that you can't tell if each of 40 pitch tubes were successful. The second problem is that ANY successful beetles will multiply in the tree, letting loose another horde the next season, which will probably be successful in killing the current tree AND attacking adjacent trees. (One beetle can produce up to 60 new beetles next season)
Lodgepole Pine, White Pine, Ponderosa Pine, and Limber Pine are the most common, although several other species are at risk. Given the choice, Mountain Pine Beetles choose the largest diameter trees. When those are gone, they wil attack smaller trees.
They also love damaged trees. If you have trees in a construction site or damaged by heavy equipment, the beetles will sense their distress and attack them because they are less able to protect themselves.
There is an old adage that you can shake hands with a fir tree but not a spruce tree. If the needles are very uncomfortable to touch, it is not a Douglas Fir. However, the difference between a pine and a fir is a little more detailed.
You must look at the needles. If the tree is a Douglas Fir tree the needles will be attached to the branch one at a time, and they will be short. If it is a pine tree, the needles will be attached in pods of two or more attached to the branch and much longer needles. Pines are susceptible to Mountain Pine Beetles. Douglas Firs are susceptible to Douglas Fir Beetles. The preventative treatments are different as is the timing of prevention.
Almost never. If the beetles don't get it the blue stain fungus that they introduce into it will eventually kill it. It is best to take it out now and minimize its risk of killing adjacent trees.
YES! If a tree is infested, its chances of survival are minimal at best. You must cut it down. But that is not the end of the story. You must get rid of the downed wood or the beetles will live happily on in the lifeless trunk, using stored nutrients, until the spring or summer. Then they will develop and fly as usual.
Yes. When time or labor is short you can cut trees infested this year in the Fall before the snow. They can remain on the ground until Spring. They can frequently be burned during a snowy Spring without risk to the forest. Or they can be bucked and hauled to a burner before the next hatching time in July.
It is very targeted to the specific species it was designed to deter. It will not affect other species - not even other beetles. It doesn't even actually KILL the Mountain Pine Beetles.
The major difference is in the amount of Verbenone contained in the pouch. Beetle Block contains ony 6.75 grams of Verbenone while ISCA pouches now contain 7 grams of Verbenone.
Don't worry that you are infecting your neighbor's property. While some beetles deterred from your trees may land on others on adjacent property, they have a limited amount of energy to fly in search of a suitable tree. Many will die of exhaustion in unsuccessful transit. During their search, they will also become great meals for birds.
It would, of course, be a good idea for your neighbor to protect his trees as well. Orders of Verbenone can be combined to get more discounts to make it even less expensive for a group than for an individual.
Prevailing winds certainly affect the direction the beetles move. Winds also affect the direction of the plume of Verbenone beetle repellent. Use them to your advantage when placing the Verbenone pouches. The pouch will protect the trees directly around it and in the direction the wind takes it.
Of course, only you can decide if you want a toxic chemical on your trees or near your property. Pesticides have shown success in killing attacking beetles before they bore into the tree bark. However, as satisfying as killing beetles can be, these types of products (even the mildest of them) affect other species. Dead, poisoned beetles are not good fodder for birds or fish. The drainage and run-off from chemicals sprayed on trees affects the water table as well.
Studies show that Verbenone alone is as effective as these sprays - without the side effects.
Beetle traps are a two edged sword. Because the beetles are attracted to them you would think them the perfect answer: Gather them all into the trap and be done with it. Unfortunately, Mountain Pine Beetles have a very poorly developed sense of direction. Certainly, some hit the trap. But many will miss the trap and hit nearby unprotected trees. If those trees are susceptible pines it could be devastating.
There is some logic to using a pine beetle trap in a large aspen grove. If you have a large grove of trees that are NOT susceptible to beetles but are surrounded by trees that are at risk, the trap might be a good idea. It could pull the beetles from the infested area into an area where they will be unsuccessful at finding a suitable host tree.
ALWAYS ask a forest professional if this is a good plan for your particular property before taking the risk.
No, some pine beetles are attracted to recently dead logs and slash, but the logs of your cabin are either too old to emit attractants or are treated with sealers. If you happen to bring live pine beetles into your house on stored firewood, vacuum them with the vacuum cleaner and spray the bag with an insect killer before discarding.