It’s not unusual to find insects in trees. In fact, sometimes, insects are helpful and keep the tree healthy and thriving.
However, in most cases, a pest infestation isn’t great news for your tree, even if the pests in question are ants. A tree infested with ants can cause a range of issues that affect the tree’s health, but there are some things you can do to manage the problem and keep it from getting worse. Explore the following advice from a tree service in North Canton, OH, to learn the best ways to get rid of ants in your trees.
Which Ants Are Harmful to Trees?
It’s important to note that not all types of ants can hurt trees. Generally speaking, only carpenter ants and red imported fire ants are a cause for concern.
Carpenter ants typically target rotted wood inside a tree. They burrow into the tree, eating the wood pulp and leaving mounds of sawdust around the base of the tree. In many cases, a tree infested with ants at this stage needs removal, as the insects’ damage will eventually weaken it to the point where it will fall over.
Imported red fire ants pose more of a danger to people than the tree, causing painful red blisters when they bite humans and pets. However, the insects can harm young trees. If you see the telltale mounds of dirt at the base of the tree, call a tree care professional to apply an insecticide to eliminate the ants without hurting the tree.
Preventing Ant Infestations in Trees
Ants typically infest trees because they have rotted areas ideal for nesting, or because they are looking for the honeydew sap left behind by other insects feasting on the tree. Therefore, seeing a substantial number of ants on your tree usually means that there is another problem that needs attention.
Another issue with a tree infested with ants is the potential for the pests to spread into other areas of your yard or even into your home. They are opportunistic creatures, and the closer the tree is to your house, the greater the chance you’ll end up with an indoor infestation, too.
Therefore, taking preventative measures to stop ants from infesting trees is a smart move. A tree service can apply an insecticide to keep insects that produce the honeydew sap that attracts ants away from the tree. You can also use ant traps around the tree trunk, or spray a mixture of water and peppermint oil on the tree to deter the creatures from munching on your trees.
Leave Tree Care to the Experts
Issues with insects, like a tree infested with ants, usually take time to build up, but sometimes, tree trouble happens suddenly and you need immediate help. Whether you need help dealing with an ongoing problem or a company to provide 24-hour emergency tree services in Massillon, OH, Petrarca Landcare is here for you. Call (330) 933-0562 for expert assistance with all your tree care needs.