by admin on February 22, 2012
Leyland Cyprus trees are generally resilient to most insect infestations because they are coniferous trees. Many insects prefer to nest and feed off of deciduous trees, however not all of them. One such pest is the spider mite. Pest control experts say spider mites are one of the top tree pests that can have a serious and damaging effect on the Leyland Cyprus tree. Thankfully, with the help of professional pest control specialists, you can protect your tree from the negative effects of this insect.
According to pest control authorities, spider mites have proven, along with bagworms, to be one of the most difficult insects to control. Since spider mites have been an irritant for Leyland Cyprus trees for so long, they have developed immunity to many of the different pest control treatments that had been used to eliminate these destructive insects. Spider mites pierce the tree with their mouths and suck out the sap (which is essentially the life force of the tree), resulting in discolored needles. If spider mites are allowed to feed without interruption, the needles will ultimately turn brown, die and fall off.
Spider mites can be a death sentence to the Leyland Cyprus, so it is important to have qualified pest control experts help you get populations under control as soon as possible. Pest control authorities do not favor the use of insecticides because other beneficial bugs will also be killed when the insecticide is applied. It is important to allow spider mite predators such as ladybugs to remain on the tree and create a natural pest control solution. For this reason, miticides are the recommended solution to heavy spider mite infestations.
To learn more about keeping your Leyland Cyprus safe from unwanted pests, call your local pest control company.
Pest Control Blog
by admin on February 9, 2012
Insect activity is a serious problem for Leyland Cyprus trees, according to pest control experts. Because this tree is a conifer and not a deciduous tree, it makes it an uninviting host for most insects. However, it is not altogether out of harm’s way when it comes to insects. Bagworms and spider mites are two of the most menacing bugs. Their presence can cause discoloration, defoliation and sometimes even death if they are left untreated and allowed to continually feed and breed on and within the Leyland Cypruss.
Bagworms are a real problem because with each generation, the infestation becomes larger and larger. A female bagworm lays between 500 and 1,000 eggs before she dies. When the bagworm larvae emerge, they either remain on the host tree or they will spin a silken thread and “fly” to a nearby tree or plant. Because of their ability to transfer to other plants, bagworms not only pose a threat to the Leyland Cyprus, but to all nearby trees and shrubs. Unfortunately, only a few generations of bagworms can annihilate an entire landscape. While the larvae cocoon in the bags they create, they feed on the surface of the leaves, stripping the leaf of its epidermis, or the skin of the leaf.
As they develop into caterpillars, entire branches of the Leyland Cyprus can become completely defoliated. Pest control experts say it is easier to control bagworm infestations by manually removing the bags they form in the early spring or fall before the larvae have hatched. However, if the Leyland Cyprus is too large for this to take place, the tree can be sprayed with an effective insecticide to eliminate current populations. If the bagworms have already hatched, they are more difficult to control with sprays, which makes preventative care so important.
Call your local pest control authority for more information on protecting the Leyland Cyprus from bagworms.
Pest Control Blog
