For your lawn and garden to remain healthy and beautiful, you’ll need regular mowing, fertilizing, pruning, and watering. Additionally, pest control is another essential aspect of lawn maintenance, as trees may be vulnerable to wood-boring insects that damage their branches and trunks. Here are a handful of harmful pests and how to protect your trees from them.

4 Wood Boring Insects & How to Prevent Them

1. Emerald Ash Borer

Emerald ash borers have metallic green bodies, bronze heads, and are about the size of a penny. They lay eggs beneath the bark of ash trees, and once the larvae emerge, they leave holes in their wake. To prevent them, have a professional apply a nontoxic botanical insecticide to the trees between March and June.

2. Brown Stinkbug 

The brown marmorated stinkbug has a body shaped like a shield and produces a foul aroma. These bugs feast on fruit trees and ornamental plants, leaving necrotic spots. Spray an all-natural insecticide, such as neem oil or a garlic and water solution, to your trees and foliage to keep these critters at bay. 

3. Mountain Pine Beetle

Mountain pine beetles are black and cylindrical. They lay eggs beneath the bark of pine trees that infect the wood. Their eggs leave behind a blue stain fungus that prevents trees from getting enough water and nutrients. Control mountain pine beetles by removing any infected bark and having a professional apply borer spray to them. 

4. Gypsy Moth Caterpillars 

Gypsy moth caterpillars feature black chevron markings on their fuzzy brown bodies. They leave holes in leaves and sometimes even strip the foliage of oak, aspen, and willow trees. Keep them away with regular lawn maintenance, and hire a professional to apply a pest barrier to your tree trunks. 

Keep your outdoor areas healthy and gorgeous with lawn maintenance from Eden Lawn Care & Tree Service. For over three decades, they have provided tree care, lawn fertilization, stump grinding, and weed and insect control to clients throughout Lincoln, NE. Call (402) 488-3177 to get on a regular lawn maintenance schedule, and visit them online to learn more about tree disease control.