Bark beetles are actually considered typical forest pests that cause massive damage to coniferous trees. In this article we clarify whether the small pests also damage apple trees in the home garden and what can be done against the harmful insects.
Are apple trees attacked by bark beetles?
Unfortunately,apple trees are not immune toabark beetle infestation. Unequal wood borers and fruit tree bark beetles eat through the wood and destroy the conductive pathways of the fruit trees and cause them to die and have to be cut down to prevent the spread of the pests.
How does the damage caused by bark beetles appear on apple trees?
You can recognize the bark beetle infestation primarilyby the typical boreholes,which differ slightly depending on the type of beetle:
| Bark beetle species | Appearance | malicious image |
|---|---|---|
| Willow Borer | Gray moth. Flesh-red caterpillars up to 10 centimeters long and 1 centimeter thick. | Drilling holes with a diameter of up to 15 millimeters. |
| Unequal wood drill bit | Black-brown wing coverts, hairy chest. | 2 millimeter holes, horizontal drilling path with sharp bends. |
| Fruit tree bark beetle | Golden wing covers, black head and dark breast | 5 to 12 centimeter long tunnels running vertically under the bark. |
What to do against bark beetles on apple trees?
TheFightingof bark beetleswith chemical preparationsisnot permitted in the home garden. This would But they don't prove to be helpful either, as the larvae are well protected under the bark and in the wood.
Individual damaged areas should be peeled back into the he althy tissue as quickly as possible. If the infestation is severe, the only option is to clear the apple trees. This work should definitely be done before the bark beetles hatch in early spring
Can you prevent bark beetles on apples?
Since stressed apple trees are particularly at risk, you should water them sufficiently during the increasingly frequent dry periodsin summer It has proven useful to drill holes in a few large buckets and the containers to be placed in the area of the roots. If you fill it with water in the evening, the liquid will seep away at night and reach the deeper layers of the soil.
You should also pay attention to balanced fertilization so that the tree can absorb all the nutrients it needs to thrive.
Tip
Detecting bark beetle infestation
The characteristic drill holes in the bark of the apple tree are not always easy to discover. Therefore, look out for tell-tale marks at the base of the tree: this is where the pests' fine drilling dust can be found. There are often lots of bark flakes on the ground.
