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The Pest Control in Little Elm TX is defoliated by the imported elm leaf-beetle; attacked by the fall webworm and tussock moth; and sought after for its foliage by various leaf-rollers and destructive borers. It is not easy to keep these insects from attacking this important shade tree, but three thorough sprayings a year with paris green or London purple, or arsenate of lead, will usually do the job satisfactorily.
Elm Leaf-Beetle
Even though Lacebark Elm isn’t susceptible to Dutch Elm Disease, it still suffers from numerous insect Pest Control in Little Elm TX. It’s also prone to mildew in late summer, but fungicides are typically effective.
The elm leaf-beetle passes the winter in its adult, or beetle, condition in cracks in fences, telegraph poles, under loose bark, window blinds of unoccupied houses, and wherever else it can obtain shelter. As soon as the buds of the elm begin to swell in the spring the beetles issue forth and mate.
The eggs are laid in masses on the underside of the leaves, which then become a swarm of hungry beetles, as shown in fig. 85, a and b. These beetles feed assiduously upon the foliage and strip the green tissue from the leaves.
Box Elder
A medium-sized deciduous tree that grows in a wide range of habitats. It has compound leaves with three to five leaflets and is dioecious (male and female trees are separate). It produces winged samaras that fall in the autumn and look similar to those of maples.
It is tolerant of wet soils, and it can be used as a shade tree in parks where the conditions are right. However, it is not a good tree for home landscaping because of its weak trunk structure and tendency to develop multiple branches near the ground.
It is susceptible to a number of diseases including brown spot, downy blotch, black spot, and elm leaf curl. Two to three fungicide applications during the growing season are usually necessary for satisfactory control.
Tussock Moth
This pest is a serious menace to shade trees. It lays its eggs on a great variety of species, including hickory, pecan, and walnut. When the caterpillars hatch, they skeletonize the leaves of their host plants.
After the first and second molts they devour leaves as they grow larger (fig. 89). The moths pupate in log piles, in sheds or garages, on house siding, and under or among outdoor furniture such as picnic tables. Silk strands firmly attach the cocoons to these objects.
Spraying with creosote oil, preferably at night, is the only effective treatment. The caterpillars are not poisonous, but their prickly hairs can cause rashes in humans. This is particularly true of the hickory tussock moth, which can produce long-lasting rashes. The rash is generally mild and fades in about an hour, but it can become severe enough to require medical attention.
Fall Webworm
This caterpillar attacks a variety of shade and ornamental trees. It feeds by skeletonizing leaves and spinning silken webs that can enshroud branches and denude entire trees. If left untreated, it can defoliate an entire tree in a short period of time and may stunt tree growth.
The moth flies at night and deposits a cluster of eggs on the underside of leaves. When the larvae hatch, they spin silken webs and skeletonize leaves on both sides of trees. They also chew through bark to create a tunnel that leads to the roots.
Besides spraying in the spring, it will be necessary to destroy larvs of elm leaf-beetle about the bases of elms in July; to burn webs of fall wee- borer during the summer; and to pick off and destroy the eggs and bags of tussock moth and bagworm in winter.
Bag-Worm
A bagworm infestation is easily recognized by the 1.5 to 2 inch long spindle-shaped cocoons that they hang from twigs and branches. Their cocoons are made from a combination of silk that they spin and leaf, twig and bark material from their host plants. A wide range of shrubs and trees serve as hosts for this pest, including box elder, juniper, cedar, cypress, spruce and evergreens, Italian cypress, arborvitae, and deciduous trees like maples and elms.
If left unchecked, this insect can defoliate entire trees and cause significant damage to landscapes and native North Texas trees. ISA Certified Arborists can safely and effectively manage this pest with regular monitoring and treatment. Typically, removing the bags is all that is required to mitigate damage from this persistent pest.
