Battling the Bugs

Exactly what it sounds like!  We drill a small hole at intervals around the base of the affected tree and inject a small amount of the most appropriate treatment available, depending on the pest.  This gets delivered directly to the vascular system of the tree without any off-target effects, overspray, or accidental exposure to people or pets.

Drilling for the injection site creates a small wound in the tree.  A healthy tree rapidly heals over this within a few growing seasons.

We provide targeted injections for some of the most pressing issues facing our Maine forests, including emerald ash-borer, hemlock wooly-adelgid, browntail moth, and winter moth.

The residual activity of the treatments depends on the chemical used and the pest being targeted.  Browntail treatments need to be administered annually, typically in May when the caterpillars emerge and are actively feeding.  Wood-boring species and the hemlock wooly-adelgid can be controlled for 2-4 years with a single treatment.

When applying a pesticide, there is always the potential for off-target kill of desirable organisms.  Focusing on tree injections dramatically reduces this potential compared to spraying or even soil injections.  Timing the treatments according to best management practices, outside of the flowering period when possible, will also further reduce any unintended impacts.