Pest control should be an important part of your tree care routine. Pests can hamper your trees’ healthy growth and, even worse, lead to death. Whether you’re a beginner or a veteran tree enthusiast, understanding the most common tree pests can help you safeguard your trees. 

As a leading provider of tree service in West Palm Beach, the professionals at ECO Tree Experts delve deeper into how to identify and control animal and insect pests that might impede your trees’ natural growth and beauty. 

Commons Signs You Have a Pest Infestation

You can easily identify large pests like raccoons and rodents, but it is more challenging to pinpoint insect pests. While you can notice some insects on the leaves and trunks of trees, detecting them can be difficult. 

That means they can multiply quickly and harm your trees before you can stop their spread and eventual tree death. Inspecting your trees regularly can help you control undetected insect growth. 

Also, always look out for the following signs, which often indicate a pest infestation:

• Holes on Leaves. If you notice tiny holes or tears in your tree leaves, it usually indicates the presence of pests. Various pests leave different holes and tears behind. Grasshoppers consume most of the leaf and leave only the vein skeleton, whereas other bugs leave tiny, circular holes. 
• Leaf Discoloration. If the beautiful green leaves of your trees have started yellowing, it could indicate fungal, bacterial, or viral plant disease. Pests often transfer these diseases to your trees, many of which can be contagious between trees. 
• Wilting or Decay. If you notice your leaves wilting, you could be dealing with bugs.
• Strange Substances. Various garden insects produce a thick, sticky substance called honeydew. This substance comprises sugar, which insects produce once they consume sap from plants. If you notice other residues like mold or white powder, it might signify plant sickness resulting from pests or nutritional issues. 

It’s worth noting that these signs don’t always mean you have a pest infestation. Many of these signs may also indicate a disease or nutrient deficiency. You can rule out other possibilities by tracking the symptoms or calling a qualified arborist to thoroughly inspect the tree. 

How to Control Tree Pests

While garden pest prevention plays an integral role in protecting trees against the ravages of pests, the occasional infestation is inevitable. If you’ve identified any tree pests in your yard, you can manage the situation and prevent further damage by taking the following steps: 

• Research. There are several tricks for dealing with specific types of tree pests. Research the culprit to better understand the environments it thrives in, its weaknesses, treatment options available, and any other valuable information. 
• Hand-Pick Large Insects. While this is a temporary fix, hand-picking large bugs from your tree leaves or flowers is a simple and cost-effective way to prevent any damage. Be sure to protect yourself when handling pests. 
• Wash the Plants. Gently spraying your plants with a solution of water and dish soap, pepper, or baking soda and vinegar can temporarily keep pests at bay. 
• Hire a Tree Care Professional. If the infestation is severe, it’s best to call a reputable tree care company to handle the situation. These experts have the skills and experience to accurately identify the source of the problem and recommend a durable solution. 

Contact Your Local Tree Experts for Assistance

If you need professional help dealing with tree pests, ECO Tree Experts is your go-to local arborist in West Palm Beach, FL. Contact us at 833-321-TREE for a free estimate or to learn how you can help a tree recover from bark damage.