If you have hemlock trees on your property, you probably have heard about hemlock wooly adelgid. First discovered in Pennsylvania in 1967, these tiny sap-sucking insects have infected, weakened, and decimated a huge number of the eastern hemlock trees in the state.
This invasive pest has wreaked havoc in over three counties in the state, threatening to drive the Carolina hemlock and eastern hemlock species to extinction. All is not lost, though. In this post, we delve deeper to learn more about hemlock wooly adelgid and how to deal with it, as advised by one of Pennsylvania’s leading providers of residential tree care and inspection services.
Identifying Wolly Adelgid – Common Infestation Signs and Symptoms
While wooly adelgids can infest all species of hemlock trees, they’re most unforgiving to the Carolina and eastern hemlock. These pesky insects target fresh growth, and you’ll often find them at the bottom of your tree’s needles.
Once they hatch from eggs, they start feeding on sap. This drains the tree’s stems and needles, eventually killing the entire branch. The whole tree may also die in the end.
Hemlock wooly adelgid can quickly spread from one tree to the next by wind or animals that come in contact with it, but how do know you have an infestation?
Look out for the following common signs and symptoms:
- You notice brownish-orange eggs in spring.
- The eggs hatch into minute brown crawling insects by early summer. The reddish-brown insects are less than 1/16th-inch long.
- They create woolly-like white nests that mimic tiny cotton balls.
- You see tiny white nodes on the bottom side of your tree’s branches.
As the temperatures rise in summer, the wooly adelgids become inactive. They’ll return in the fall and start feeding again. Additionally, an adelgid-infested hemlock will often turn from a shiny dark green to a greyish-green color.
How To Treat Hemlock Wooly Adelgid
You have several chemical and natural treatment options when it comes to dealing with this invasive pest. Let’s explore some of the options:
Chemical Treatments
You can use sprays and insecticides to control infestations on individual trees. However, you must saturate the trees to neutralize the adelgids. If you have larger trees, you’ll get better results by applying systemic insecticides to the soil around the base of the tree or directly injecting them into the tree.
Insecticidal Soaps and Horticultural Oils
These options are often less toxic and easier on the environment. This doesn’t mean you can use them near water sources!
Biological Control
You can introduce pseudoscymnus tsugae to your property. This tiny black lady beetle feeds on hemlock wooly adelgid.
Contact Your Local Tree Experts for Assistance
The best way to treat any tree disease or infestation is by contacting a local tree expert.
If you need help dealing with hemlock wooly adelgid and their unsightly egg sacs, Rick’s PHC Certified Arborists is your go-to local arborist in Chester, PA. Contact us at 610-840-2655 to request a quote and schedule an appointment with a qualified tree disease specialist today!
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