Bark Beetle Treatments by SavATree Insects & Diseases Bark beetles are destructive insects that tunnel beneath bark and can have a detrimental impact on the life and longevity of your trees. What Are Bark Beetles and How Do They Spread? At SavATree, our ISA Certified Arborists are trained to identify infestations early and implement treatment strategies that help protect and preserve your landscape. Bark beetles are tiny, wood-boring insects that burrow into bark to lay eggs. As larvae hatch and feed, they create tunnels beneath the bark that cut off the flow of nutrients from roots to leaves. Once nutrient-flow is disrupted, trees suffer and may sometimes die. Arborist Tip: Don’t store cut logs or storm-damaged wood near healthy trees. These conditions create a breeding ground for bark beetles and can be the start of a significant problem on your property. Common Bark Beetles Understanding which beetle species are affecting your property helps determine the best course of action. Below are four of the most common bark beetles: Cedar Bark Beetle: Tree Species Attacked: Eastern red cedar, junipers Symptoms: Reddish-brown dust at the tree’s base Tunneling under bark in a herringbone pattern Thin or browning foliage, starting at the tree’s crown Western Red Cedar Bark Beetle Tree Species Attacked: Western red cedar Symptoms: Sparse, grayish or browned foliage in upper branches Small round exit holes in bark Bark may peel easily due to internal tunneling Note: The Western Red Cedar Beetle moves slowly, inflicting damage over several seasons, but it may be fatal if not addressed by a qualified arborist. Balsam Bark Beetle Tree Species Attacked: Balsam fir, subalpine fir Symptoms: Resin-soaked patches on trunk Dust at tree base (caused by tunneling beetles) Needle discoloration and branch dieback This beetle may work alongside fungal pathogens which could add to your tree’s decline, especially if cankers caused by these pathogens are already present. Pine Bark Beetle Tree Species Attacked: Lodgepole pine, Ponderosa pine, white pine, and other pines Symptoms: Sudden needle yellowing or browning Resin pitch tubes and boring dust Winding tunnels beneath bark (visible when bark is peeled back) Are your trees showing different symptoms? Your landscape may be affected by another tree disease or insect infestation. SavATree offers comprehensive insect management and tree care to identify and treat various tree health issues. Bark Beetle Life Cycle Understanding the timing of bark beetle activity can help guide the right interventions. Though seasonal patterns can vary by region, bark beetles are generally consistent: Each spring, adult beetles seek stressed trees to attack. At this time, entry holes and resin tubes appear, which are tell-tale signs beetles are present. In summer, eggs hatch under tree bark and newly-borne larvae feed and form tunnels beneath it. By late summer, larvae mature into adult beetles, which bore exit holes through the bark and emerge to seek new host trees. In warm climates, some species may produce a second generation in autumn. Most beetles enter a less active state in winter, often spending the season under bark as larvae or adults. Note: Even when trees appear green and healthy, bark beetles may already be tunneling beneath the bark during certain life stages. That’s why regular professional inspections are essential for early detection and prevention. Bark Beetle Treatment Options Once bark beetles have fully colonized a tree, removal may be the only option. At that point, the main treatment goal shifts to protecting nearby uninfested trees and, in limited cases, slowing decline in trees with only minor early-stage activity. Our ISA Certified Arborists may recommend one of several treatment strategies based on your region and the type of beetle present. These strategies could include precision pruning, preventative trunk treatments, and general tree care designed to bolster the tree’s defenses against beetle attacks. SavATree also offers a vascular tree injection treatment that can protect healthy, uninfested conifers or pines. This treatment is not effective once an active infestation is visible but can work well when applied as a preventive treatment. Get Help with Bark Beetles Near You If you’re searching for “tiny holes in tree bark,” “resin leaking from pine tree,” or “bark beetle treatment near me,” SavATree can help. Our arborists are trained to identify early signs of bark beetle infestations. We can customize a plan to help your trees recover or recommend safe removal when necessary. Schedule your free consultation today and let SavATree help you protect your landscape from bark beetles. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with an expert arborist.