Ips Beetle Prevention through Insecticides

Excerpt from the CSU website article  “Ips Beetles” by W. Cranshaw and D.A. Leatherman

Insecticides are used as drenching preventive sprays on the trunks and larger branches. These insecticides need to be applied prior to adult beetle infestation.

(Remember that overwintering beetles begin emerging in spring as soon as daytime temperatures consistently reach 50 F to 60 F.)

However, timing can be difficult to determine since ips beetles can have multiple, overlapping generations and life cycles. Adults have been observed entering trees during warm days as early as late-February on through November. Because of this extended activity, two treatments (early spring and summer) may be needed to protect trees during high-risk conditions.

Early Stage Decline of a Spruce by IPS beetle

Read the full article on the CSU website