Integrated Pest Management for Fort Worth Trees: A Proactive Approach to Tree Health

While insect control may conjure up images of spraying chemicals, did you know there are other methods for reducing insect populations that are more environmentally friendly? With integrated pest management, you can take a more natural approach to keeping common tree pests at bay that is better for your yard and the ecosystem. See how this new style of insect control works and how you can use it.

Key Takeaways:

• Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an environmentally friendly approach to insect control that emphasizes natural methods and uses chemical treatments only as a last resort.
• IPM consists of four main strategies: biological (introducing beneficial insects), cultural (proper tree selection and planting), mechanical (physically removing pests), and targeted chemical controls when necessary.
• The Dallas-Fort Worth area faces significant pest challenges, including the recent discovery of emerald ash borer in 2024 and the presence of Sciota celtidella worms that attack hackberry trees.
• Successful IPM involves planting varied, insect-resistant tree species and avoiding at-risk species rather than trying to combat pest problems after they occur.
• While IPM takes longer to show results than traditional chemical treatments, it creates a healthier ecosystem by maintaining beneficial insect populations while controlling harmful pests.

The Basics of Integrated Pest Management

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a different way to control your property’s insects. It isn’t about eradicating the insects or spraying chemicals without concern for collateral damage. Instead, an IPM program uses more natural methods to keep insect populations manageable and your trees healthy.

An IPM program can be as small as a yard plan or as large as controls for an entire ecosystem. Following one of these systems is ecologically sound and leads to a healthier landscape overall.

The Importance of IPM for Fort Worth Homeowners

Though much of the focus on destructive tree insects focuses on the forests in the northeast part of the country, the Dallas-Fort Worth area has several problematic pests. The problems constantly change, making a healthy ecosystem more important than ever.

In 2024, arborists in the area received news they hoped they would never need to hear: emerald ash borer was confirmed in the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. This destructive insect has killed countless ash trees throughout the country and now threatens our area’s trees.

Aside from EAB, Fort Worth deals with several other pests, including the annoying worms of Sciota celtidella. These worms attack and defoliate hackberry trees with little warning, making preventive measures all the more important.

PRO TIP: If you’d like to learn more about some of the common insects we deal with in the Fort Worth area, see our previous articles detailing them and how to control them:

• Wood-Boring Beetles
• Webworms
• Spider Mites
• Bagworms

The Four Steps of Integrated Pest Management

IPM has four main pillars. Some control methods are more effective than others against certain insects, but using all four in conjunction helps protect your property and the environment.

Biological Controls to Reduce Insect Populations

Biological controls in IPM involve introducing beneficial insects into an environment.

“While it may seem counterintuitive to add insects to your property when you’re trying to get rid of pests, beneficial bugs help control pests. Think of it like this: if a dangerous insect reaches your yard and has no natural predators, what’s to stop its population from growing out of control?” – Cory Herpel, Arbor Masters Arbor Advisor

Some of the standard biological controls you can add to your landscape include:

• Predators: Depending on the pests you are dealing with, different natural predators can help manage the population. Some common predators include ladybugs and predatory mites.
• Parasitoids: Parasitoids are parasitic wasps and flies that feed on and kill host insects. Many of them will lay eggs within the host that will eat them from the inside out.
• Pathogens: Microscopic bacteria, fungi, and nematodes can damage your trees, but the right ones will act as natural controls to pesky insects.

Using biological methods effectively can be a cost-effective way of keeping pest populations in check.

Cultural Controls for Stronger, Pest-Resistant Trees

Many homeowners pick trees based on the way they look or their size, but not enough consider their susceptibility to insects and diseases. Planting the right tree in the first place can prevent you from having to deal with insect problems at all.

Some of the principles you should follow when planting Fort Worth trees include:

• Don’t Plant At-Risk Species: Instead of trying to control the emerald ash borer on your property, avoid the problem by not planting any ash trees. You can also remove any species at high risk of insect attacks.
• Choose Insect-Resistant Cultivars: Some cultivars of different species have natural disease and insect resistance that makes them better choices for yards. One example is the ‘Tuscarora’ crape myrtle, which has much higher insect resistance than other cultivars of the species.
• Plant a Variety of Trees: While we all may have a favorite tree, planting one species in your yard can have devastating consequences. One insect could potentially wipe out your entire landscape! Planting a variety of species will increase your yard’s resistance to insects.

Mechanical Controls to Kill Pests

Mechanical control methods involve preventing the insect from reaching the tree or promptly removing them. Some of the techniques of mechanical controls are:

• Handpicking: Handpicking involves seeing an insect or egg mass and destroying it by hand. This is the simplest and least expensive mechanical control for a homeowner to do, but it can also be time-consuming.
• Traps: Traps serve two primary goals. The first is reducing the population, and the second is determining how many insects are in your ecosystem. The most common type of trap is an adhesive barrier, such as double-sided tape.
• Water Sprays: Spraying water on trees can dislodge insects like aphids or spider mites from plants. Only spray sturdy plants to avoid damaging your tree and breaking branches.

Chemical Controls as a Last Resort

Even in an IPM plan, chemical controls are a necessary part of keeping your trees safe from destructive insects. However, the key differentiator is that we use insecticides sparingly in the IPM plan.

Other parts of an IPM program are ineffective against some insects (such as the invasive emerald ash borer), necessitating chemical use. If infestations are too great, chemicals help get them under control so the rest of the methods can be more effective.

In an IPM plan, a professional will only use insecticides in a targeted manner rather than just spraying them all over. Excessive insecticide use can kill the beneficial insects you’ve added to your landscape and potentially harm your neighbor’s property.

Frequently Asked Questions About Integrated Pest Management

Integrated pest management is a somewhat obscure way to keep your trees safe but a vital one. To help you better understand the service, we’ve answered some common questions about IPM.

How long does it take until I see results from an IPM program?

While chemicals can give you immediate results, IPM is a long-term investment and will take time to show progress. You’ll likely begin to see results within a few months. Within a year, you should notice your trees are healthier, and you find fewer pests in your traps.

How can I tell if an IPM program is working effectively?

Some of the ways you can determine if your IPM efforts are yielding results include:

• Your trees look healthier
• Fewer insects on your traps
• Fewer chemical applications
• Higher presence of beneficial insects

Will my yard be safe for use when setting up an IPM program?

Yes, your yard will be safe for normal use when you start an IPM program. When using targeted chemical treatments, you may need to restrict access to certain areas temporarily. Because IPM is about working with nature and limiting chemical use, it leaves your yard in better condition than traditional pest control methods.

Arbor Masters Can Help You Control Insect Populations

Following an IPM plan can give you healthier trees and fewer pesky insects without the need to spray insecticides without concern for their environmental effects. However, targeted chemical applications are sometimes necessary, and proper use is important to protect both your trees and the surrounding ecosystem.

The team at Arbor Masters has years of experience applying treatments effectively and responsibly, ensuring the best results while maintaining ecological balance. Call us today at 469-586-5829 or request an estimate online to develop a customized IPM plan for your landscape.