Winter tree and shrub pests such as scale insects can damage the bark of your trees.
While the dormant winter season is often seen as a time to take a break from full-time landscape care, there are still a few maintenance measures that are important. In particular, pests can still harm your trees and shrubs during winter, and you should take action to remove them. The damage caused by these pests may not be apparent until spring or summer when the pests are more difficult to control. Read on to learn which common winter pests to look for, how to manage them, and how to protect your landscape this winter.
Identify Winter Tree and Shrub Pests
Scale Insects
These winter tree and shrub pests are often found on the plant stem, trunk, leaves, or twigs. Their color varies, but many of them can be identified by their solid, shield-type cover on their backs. These pests will suck essential nutrients from your trees or shrubs. They reproduce at a rapid pace, so quick identification is crucial.
Winter Mites
Winter mites are also “suckers,” but they cannot be seen with the naked eye. When looked at through a magnifying glass, they are a green or red color, have eight legs, and resemble a spider.
Lace Bugs
These pests will lay their eggs to spend the winter on your trees and shrubs. Once spring comes, and the eggs hatch, the damage will begin. These pests are less than an eighth of an inch in length and have see-through lacey wings, which inspires their name.
Eliminate Winter Pests
One solution to managing any identified winter tree and shrub pests is to apply dormant oil. This oil will suffocate the winter pests as well as their eggs without harming beneficial insects. In extreme cases where the eggs are stacked, multiple applications may be necessary.
Prevent Returning Winter Tree and Shrub Pests
The best way to prevent further appearances by pests, or damage to your trees and shrubs, is to consult the plant health care professionals at Scientific Plant Service. Our tree, shrub and lawn specialists will advise you on the best way to address any pest problems in your landscape and how to best prevent them from returning.
Scientific Plant Service Is Your Go-To Source In Landscape Healthcare
Scientific Plant Service, located in Baltimore, is a privately owned corporation, chartered in Maryland in 1957 by Frank J. Burke. We started as a full-service Arborists specializing in the care of shade trees and ornamental shrubs, but today we are a Lawn Care company that is a huge part of the community. From aquatic environments and snow management to deer and mole control, SPS has services tailored specifically for your lawn and landscape.
We offer services in Maryland, Washington, DC, and Virginia, including: Harford, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Howard, Anne Arundel, Montgomery, Prince Georges, Talbot, Queen Anne’s, Calvert counties in MD, as well as Loudoun County, Fairfax County, Arlington, Alexandria, and Falls Church in VA. For more information, contact us online, or call us at 410-321-0970. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest!