Most pests and insects hide during the winter but that doesn’t mean they’re not damaging plants and other growth. To survive harsh winters, many of them hide in trunks and cause serious harm to trees’ growth. This damage eventually worsens (and becomes more visible) come spring.

Here are a few examples of common winter pests:

 

Protect Your Trees from Winter Pests

Codling Moth Grubs

These pests are usually found in fruit trees, in whose crevices they like to stay during colder months. During spring, codling moths reveal themselves right around the time when new fruit starts to grow.

 

Protect Your Trees from Winter Pests

Red Spider Mites

These insects are usually associated with apple trees and are very active during spring and fall. During winter, they hide near tree trunks to stay warm, waiting until temperatures return to normal. Then, they rapidly repopulate. However, a swarm of them may be overlooked because of their small size (which has the appearance of fine, red dust on a plant).

 

Protect Your Trees from Winter Pests

Aphids

There are over 4,000 classifications of aphids. Each type can quickly overwhelm a plant and cause it to yellow or stop growing entirely. During fall, aphids lay eggs in trees and those eggs remain dormant during the winter months.

 

Protect Your Trees from Winter Pests

Emerald Ash Borer

These pests can destroy numerous trees, especially in areas that don’t harbour their natural predators. They can also withstand cold weather, since their larvae are capable of living in temperatures as low as -25° Celsius.

Most of these insidious pests survive during the winter by burrowing deep into a tree’s trunk and waiting until the season ends. During this time, the lack of natural predators provides them an opportunity to increase in numbers. Later in spring, they appear and cause serious damage.

One advantage to cold temperatures is that they can slow the growth of insect populations. During winter months, professionals can get rid of pests quickly with minimal chance of them escaping.

 

Protect Your Trees from Winter Pests6

To protect your trees from winter infestation, here are some ways you can get rid of pests:

 

  • Spray your trees with winter wash. This is an organic, oil-based washing spray that you can apply to your trees. It is relatively safe and won’t harm pets or children.
  • Use glue bands. These items are placed around a tree and prevent additional insects from crawling up to nest.
  • Call a professional. Insects that burrow deep into a tree are hard to get rid of by yourself. Call a reliable tree service company with a certified arborist who can get rid of these pests immediately.

 

Winter pests that go unnnoticed can flourish during spring, when it is more difficult to remove them. During cold months, some pests thrive by hiding in trees until it gets warm. To handle these winter pests immediately, call Great Northern ReGreenery at (905) 775-7444 or 1-877-775-7444.