Fall is a time of year when pests attempt to get into homes in anticipation of a long winter. If you have trees that are very close to your home, this can raise your risk of infestation. Routine tree care in the fall can help prevent insect infestation throughout the year. This process includes trimming back overgrowth and removing dead branches.
Disruption of Insect Overwintering
The overwintering effect is a process insects use to survive the winter. This is when an insect colony will slow down its bodily processes, consuming less food and sleeping more. Many insects overwinter as eggs, larvae, and adults. If they are living in nearby trees, you want to remove growth that is close to your home. Otherwise, there is a major risk of infestation come spring when the insect population is booming.
Fall tree maintenance can cut down on the number of pesticides and products that you will need to use in the spring. This promotes a healthier and safer home environment for you and your family.
Removal of Eggs and Larvae
Insects often lay their eggs on the undersides of tree branches. You can remove these eggs when they are at an early stage of development so they are unable to grow to adulthood and infest your home. Discard any foliage that is removed from your trees to prevent re-infestation.
There are also products that you can use on the trunks and branches of your trees to keep insects at bay. Products can also destroy eggs and larvae in their early stages.
Keeping Trees Healthy
Insects tend to make their home in trees that are experiencing stress or damage. You can keep your trees healthy with routine fall maintenance. Keep roots healthy by watering your trees in the early fall. Avoid watering once the first frost arrives. A slow-release fertilizer can promote the fast growth of new roots in early spring. Roots that are still young can attract certain species of insects, such as borers.
Thinning Your Trees
When trees grow very thick, their dense canopies can trap moisture. This leads to a higher prevalence of insects as well as fungus or mold growth. Having a professional thin your trees reduces humidity by allowing light and air into the canopy. It’s important to remove sucker shoots and waterspouts. This is where many insects will live so they can feed in early spring.
Protect your home from insects and pests by scheduling routine tree care this fall. Contact us at Tree Specialists in Holliston, MA, to schedule an appointment for pest management services.
