Are you noticing white bugs on your trees? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. While these tiny bugs may look harmless at first glance, they can cause serious damage to your trees if not dealt with properly. These pests can directly damage your tree and can cause indirect damage to nearby plants. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the various types of white bugs you may encounter on your trees, how to identify them, and most importantly, how to get rid of them.
Types of White Bugs on Trees
Three common types of white bugs found on trees are woolly aphids, bark scale, and mealybugs.
Woolly aphids are tiny, white, and fuzzy. They are found clustered on the leaves and stems of infected trees. If left untreated, these bugs will feed on the tree’s sap. This weakens the tree and makes it more susceptible to other pests and diseases. Additionally, the honeydew that woolly aphids produce can attract other insects and fungi to your tree.
Mealybugs are small, oval-shaped, and covered in a powdery white substance. These insects feed on plant sap and can cause significant damage to plants and crops. These bugs are commonly found in warm and humid environments, like greenhouses and indoor gardens.
Perhaps the most common white bug found on trees in our area is scale. It is characterized by patches of white bumps on the tree’s bark. One particularly vicious variety you may encounter is the crape myrtle bark scale. This is a type of invasive scale that plagues crape myrtles annually, dripping honeydew onto driveways and shrubs throughout landscapes.
It’s best to deal with these bugs as soon as possible to prevent any long-term damage to your tree.
How to Get Rid of White Bugs on Trees
The method of getting rid of white bugs on your tree will depend on the type of insect present. Luckily, RTEC ‘s team of certified arborists and environmental specialists will formulate a customized plan for your pest issue.
Canopy Protection Program: Protect your plants and prevent infestation by proactively managing pest problems with our Canopy Protection Programs. These programs allow our Environmental Specialists to treat pests as needed on your property throughout the year!
Intensive Treatments: We offer a range of intensive treatments to target resilient populations of pests. These treatments typically happen 2-3 times a year, we recommend annually renewing them to deter the reemergence of the pests.
Horticultural Oils: a natural alternative to traditional treatment methods is horticultural oil, which we can apply to your trees. It’s important to have a professional apply horticultural oil, as these products can often burn your plant if applied incorrectly.
White bugs on trees may seem like a small issue, but they can cause significant damage if not dealt with properly. By using our guide to identify the type of bug present, you can ensure the health and longevity of your tree. Remember, it’s always best to treat these bugs as soon as they’re spotted to prevent further damage. RTEC Treecare is here to help!