Estate Tree Care Professionals Offer Safe Solution to Gypsy Moth Problems
Gypsy moth activity across the country continues to concern estate tree care professionals. At this point in the season, spring larvae have already made it through the pupal stage and are starting to lay their own eggs. Those eggs, if not destroyed, will remain in place until spring 2016. Afterward, they’ll hatch and start the vicious process of destroying Canada’s estate tree population all over again.
Many Canadians have expressed concern over some of the chemicals being used to kill the destructive moths’ larvae. They worry about what the substances will do to the environment at large as well as human beings with compromised immune systems. Examples include biological materials that inadvertently kill other, more beneficial insects. Consequently, there has been an increasing outcry for the use of eco-friendly alternatives.
It\’s About Balance
Unfortunately, not all eco-friendly alternatives are good for humans. Prime examples are planned releases of deer mice, which harbor infectious pathogens and parasites. As such, when battling gypsy moth invasions it is crucial for estate tree care professionals to balance the concerns of all involved. Personally, we advocate for focusing on the health of the estate’s trees.
By making health the center of attention, the estates’ trees are in better positions to withstand gypsy moth attacks. Plus, we recommend setting up eco-sensitive deterrents that discourage or prevent the adult moths from using the estate trees as nurseries. Examples include spraying the trees with green soaps and applying specialty tape.
Thinning out hardwoods which have a tendency to attract the pests also helps. However, property owners may balk at doing such. In those cases, certified arborists often agree to take a “protect, wait and see” stance. It involves taking the preventive measures we mentioned early and reserving tree removal activities until the final generation of larvae are preparing to overwinter.
To speak more about gypsy moth invasions and related control measures, please contact Advance Tree Care today. You can follow along on Facebook and Instagram, or you can contact us here if you have any questions.
