Most pests on conifers belong to the insect and spider kingdom. The many-legged animals often lay their eggs in the wood and their larvae cause lasting damage to needles and wood. Problems caused by rodents such as voles, on the other hand, occur comparatively rarely in softwoods.
Which pests attack conifers and how do you recognize them?
Common pests on conifers are plant lice, leaf miners, spider mites and bark beetles. They can be recognized by white webs, crooked needles, discoloration or drill holes. If an infestation occurs, you need to act quickly; cutting back into he althy wood often helps.
Detecting pest infestations
Due to the small size of the animals, a pest infestation is often only recognized when lasting damage has already occurred. To prevent this, you should regularly check your trees for one or more of the following signs:
- white webs on needles and twigs
- twisted or otherwise crippled needles and twigs
- needles turning brown
- reinforces falling needles
- Discoloration of the bark / peeling bark
- Drilling holes in the wood including drilling dust on the trunk and floor
- unusual cone-like growths on the branches
If you find what you are looking for, there is definitely a pest infestation. Now you should act as quickly as possible to limit the damage.
These pests are often found on conifers
The pests listed below are particularly common on coniferous trees, with weakened trees often being attacked in advance - for example those that are in an unsuitable location or that are stressed by a lack of nutrients or over-fertilization.
Plant lice
Different types of plant lice - including aphids, mealybugs and mealybugs as well as the spruce borer louse - sit on the undersides of the needles or soft shoots and suck out the cell sap from there. Infected plant parts are often sticky due to animal excretions, which in turn attracts sooty mold fungi and ants.
Leaf miners
This is an inconspicuous, small butterfly that prefers to lay its eggs in the bark of coniferous trees. The caterpillars that hatch from this eat their way into the wood and cause numerous small holes in the bark. Trees of life (Thuja) are particularly affected.
Spider mites
The softwood spider mite is easily recognizable by the typical white web that gives it its name. A severe infestation ultimately leads to browning and then to the needles falling off.
bark beetle
Bark beetles mainly occur as a result of prolonged drought - an extreme stress for conifers, which usually prefer a fresh to moist location. The animals hide very well and are often only noticeable through numerous drill holes or small thickenings at the base of the branches. Adults and their larvae feed on both the needles and the wood.
Tip
In many cases, in the event of a pest infestation or illness, only a courageous pruning back to he althy wood will help.
