It is the rare British Columbian who has not heard of the mountain pine beetle—the tiny insect that has devastated forests in this province at an alarming and unprecedented rate. But while forest industry experts have announced that the war against the pine beetle is all but over in BC forests, trees on personal property are also susceptible and now is the time to fight for the back yard.

“While beetle populations may be starting to decline, the pine beetle will remain a threat for a few more years,” said John Borden, chief scientific officer for Pherotech International, and developer of the only Verbenone-based pine beetle repellent available in Canada. “The first beetle flight could start as early as April. The beetle has decimated forests but individuals should still consider protecting the trees at their homes, cabins, and recreational properties.”

Arborists calculate that it could cost between $500 to $2,000 to remove and replace a mature pine tree. However, the true cost of the benefits lost may be $20,000 or more. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air, provide visual and wind screens, help control erosion, increase property values, provide shade, and preserve water quality. It may take more than 50 years for a new tree to grow to a size equal to that of the dead tree that it replaced.

According to Borden, protecting a large or small area of trees requires an integrated pest management program (IPM) and should be evaluated on a case by case basis. Components of a successful IPM could include: removal of infested trees (preferably over a whole neighbourhood), watering regularly, and the use of Verbenone as a pine beetle repellent.

“We encourage property owners to band together with neighbours in order to protect trees on adjoining properties,” Borden said. “In some communities, neighbors have formed coalitions to ensure that all the trees in a certain area are protected. Such a communal approach is far more effective and has been proven successful in areas including Panorama, BC.

Beetles and other insects communicate through the use of pheromones. Verbenone is a synthetic version of a naturally occurring signal pheromone. To reproduce, pine beetles gather in host pine trees. At the beginning of an attack, various chemicals produced by infested trees and by the beetles will attract additional beetles. When the numbers of adults approach the maximum the tree can support, new signal chemicals are produced to keep additional beetles away. Verbenone mimics the beetle pheromone, sending a false message that the tree is full of beetles and arriving beetles should look elsewhere for a more suitable host.

Beetles attack pine trees in order to lay eggs under the bark. When the eggs hatch, the larvae mine the area beneath the bark and eventually cut off the tree’s supply of nutrients. The beetles also carry a fungus that stops water flow inside the tree and inhibits the tree’s natural defences against further beetle attacks.

Verbenone has been used for more than a decade as part of IPM programs. It is environmentally safe and non-toxic to humans, pets, birds, and even the beetles themselves. It is easy to use— pouches are stapled to the north face of trees about 2.5 meters high and at least two times during the beetle flight season (April to October). Verbenone can be purchased at retail stores throughout BC.

“There is no cure-all for the pine beetle problem,” Borden said. “But if homeowners want to protect their trees, Verbenone is effective, and now is the time to think about using it.”

Contech Electronics, distributor for Pherotech products, is a designer and provider of advanced animal training, control and wellness products for pet owners and gardeners around the world. Safe and effective solutions such as the ScareCrow® motion-activated sprinkler and the SlugsAway™ slug and snail deterrent continue to reinforce the company’s reputation as a leading innovator in the pet and garden industries.

Pherotech International develops and markets high-technology, non-toxic pest management products for home and garden, forestry, landscape, agriculture, and commercial applications. For more information visit: www.pherotech.com.