Mountain Pine Beetle

The Mountain Pine Beetle (MPB) attacks only the trunk, so only the trunk of the tree needs spraying. The Ips Beetle (IB) is also a wood-boring beetle that is a smaller version of the MPB but attacks not only the trunk of the tree, but also the branches as small as 1 inch in diameter with the blue “stain” fungus and eventually kills the trees. They might start with the tops of the tree or just a few branches which first die, but eventually the entire tree dies unless sprayed before infestation. The entire tree requires spraying. Parts of southern Colorado have lost as much as 80% of their trees to the IB.

Dave Leatherman, former Chief Entomologist of the Colorado State Forest Service, is encouraging two (2) sprays per year because the IB has as many as four (4) flights per year, beginning around April, and continuing as late as November 1st. Because of the horizontal nature of the limbs, the Carbaryl or Permethrin breaks down from the natural elements (i.e. sun, rain etc.) and the residual or length of effectiveness can be only three to four months; therefore, a second spray is recommended in August to the first of October. If your budget permits, it is highly recommended to have 2 sprays for protection. NOTE: If you have a second spray, you will be billed for this when the spray is completed. The IB affects Pinon, Ponderosa, Spruce and most other pines. If spraying just for MPB, one spraying of the trunk only is required prior to July 15th. If you spray for Ips before July 15th, this also takes care of MPB. Preventative spraying has shown to be almost 100% effective in preventing attacks. Please note: If spraying twice, we will try to give you priority for early spraying and then space out the second spray accordingly.