As Spring blooms in Buffalo NY, a burst of life comes with it. The budding of flowers, leaves on our trees emerging, and the awakening of pests that harm our trees. Wait, what was that last one? That’s where we’ll focus today, the pests that threaten our trees. Here at Bradley Trees, we understand the importance of protecting our gentle giant friends, doing it in a way that’s safe for both your family and the environment. Let’s run through some eco-friendly pest control solutions this Spring!
Understanding Spring Tree Pests in Buffalo
In our neck of the woods, common pests include things like various aphids, beetles, and caterpillars. They can easily be more than just a simple nuisance, they can cause significant damage to our local greenery. They thrive in springtime weather and conditions, potentially overwhelming trees that are just recovering from their winter rest.
We’ve talked before about some of the more problematic invasive insects that have made their way to WNY, check those posts out so you know what to look for and report if they make their way to your yard.
The lifecycle of these pests makes spring a key moment for control. This is the time of year they tend to hatch and seek out the leaves, bark and other tree material they prefer. Early intervention can prevent outbreaks that could become a nightmare to manage later on!
Benefits of Eco-Friendly Pest Control
The best approach to keeping these bugs in check is a method that doesn’t involve too many harsh chemicals. We like to reduce the risk of exposing your home and pets to potential toxins wherever possible and are specially trained to handle certain solutions to mitigate that risk.
Eco-Friendly pest control not only handles problematic bugs but also helps to nurture the health and longevity of your trees and landscape. We like to strengthen natural resistance and promote healthy growth with the trees we work with, leaving them less susceptible to problematic insects and diseases.
Using our pest control strategies helps to preserve the natural biodiversity of WNY! We protect pollinators, beneficial insects, and local wildlife as well as your precious pets and whole family.
Popular Pest Control Strategies
One popular pest control method is introducing natural predators to insects, such as ladybugs to eat aphids. Using methods like this helps prevent chemicals from being introduced since beneficial insects are doing the control. There are also more natural insecticide options, like neem oil, which has been found to be practically non-toxic to birds, mammals, bees and plants. Keep in mind that the insect must eat the treated plant to be killed, so pollinators are not likely to encounter it anyway. Homemade sprays made with ingredients like garlic or chili can be effective as well.
Reducing Pest Impact Through Change
Choosing the right tree and planting it in the right place not only gives it a chance to thrive, it also helps to play a role in pest prevention. Healthy trees are less likely to attract pests and harbor disease, so having a strong starting point is important.
Regular tree maintenance, like tree trimming and pruning, keeps your landscape healthy and beautiful. Removing unhealthy branches and maintaining structure and airflow are key to reducing the chance for pests and diseases to set in.
Monitoring Your Buffalo NY Trees
Keep a watch out for early signs of your trees being infected. Some signs to keep an eye out for are holes in the leaves, a sudden loss in the canopy, or visible bugs on the surface. Remember, there is a lot you can do on your own- but there are absolutely situations where you need to bring in a professional. Our ISA-certified arborists are equipped to handle these challenges and give your trees the best care we can.
Bradley Trees is Your Source for Eco-Friendly Pest Control in WNY
Embracing eco-friendly pest control is a choice and responsibility we embrace to keep your landscape and our wider planet healthy and happy! As the trees, shrubs, and hibernating animals awake, consider protecting your landscape to ensure its growth and survival.
Here at Bradley Trees, an educated customer is our best customer! Tree education so WNY homeowners know how to preserve their landscape is important, even among some of the most important work we do.
Don’t forget to stay up to date with your favorite Buffalo ISA-Certified Arborists by following along with our blog! You can also find us on social media, namely Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Have you noticed any signs of pests in your trees this spring? Feel free to reach out to us by giving us a call [(716)466-9427] or by filling out our contact form.