Mountain Pine Beetle

Mountain pine beetle (MPB), Dendroctonus ponderosae, is native to the forests of western North America. Periodic outbreaks of the insect, previously called the Black Hills beetle or Rocky Mountain pine beetle, can result in losses of millions of trees. Outbreaks develop irrespectiveof property lines, being equally evident in wilderness areas, mountain subdivisions and back yards. Even windbreak or landscape pines many miles from the mountains can succumb to beetles imported in infested firewood.

Mountain pine beetles develop in pines, particularly ponderosa, lodgepole, Scotch and limber pine. Bristlecone and pinyon pine are less commonly attacked. During early stages of an outbreak, attacks are limited largely to trees under stress from injury, poor site conditions, fire damage, overcrowding, root disease or old age. However, as beetle populations increase, MPB attacks may involve most large trees in the outbreak area.

FAQ

• Preventative Treatments:
  Preventative Spraying (Permethrin, Bifenthrin, Carbaryl), Pheromone Repellents (Verbenone Pouch/Flakes), Basal Trunk Application (Safari ®), Tree Baiting, Pheromone Traps & Lures, ODC Colloidal Chitosan, Stand Thinning

• Post Attack Treatments:
  Basal Trunk Application (Safari ®), Removal of Infested Trees