What type of beetle is in my Douglas Fir tree? - Ask Extension
The gentleman who aerated by lawn noted that our Douglas fir tree had bore holes on the northern side of it. He suggested we get some tack like phero...
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What type of beetle is in my Douglas Fir tree? #857957
Asked January 27, 2024, 2:48 PM EST
The gentleman who aerated by lawn noted that our Douglas fir tree had bore holes on the northern side of it. He suggested we get some tack like pheromones to insert on that side of the tree to dissuade the beetles that may arrive in March. I have lost the name of the type of beetle he thought it might be. Wanted to order the pheromones
in time to place them on my Douglas fir in my yard.
Marion County Oregon
Expert Response
The only pheromone treatment I know of for Douglas-fir is called MCH and it is specific to the Douglas-fir beetle, a bark beetle. Before ordering the MCH "bubble packs", I would want to confirm that you do have Douglas-fir bark beetles. These beetles have tiny bore holes and may cause multiple fine streams of pitch. It is unusual for these beetles to attack a healthy tree, unless there is a local concentration of fresh down wood they are feeding and breeding in. To help you diagnose this and to consider MCH, see the publications about Douglas-fir beetles and MCH pheromones below.
https://www.oregon.gov/odf/Documents/forestbenefits/Douglas-fir-beetle.pdf
https://www.oregon.gov/odf/Documents/forestbenefits/mch-for-douglas-fir-beetle.pdf
If the bore holes and other signs and symptoms on your tree do not match up with Douglas-fir beetle, then it is likely some other insect and may or may not be a problem. Larger holes in the bark are often the work of birds going after various types of insects. A key question is whether the tree is still looking healthy and green, or if there are signs of decline in the foliage.
If you want to send some photos of the tree, I can take a look. Photos of the bore holes as well as larger view of the whole tree and is crown (all the foliage).
https://www.oregon.gov/odf/Documents/forestbenefits/Douglas-fir-beetle.pdf
https://www.oregon.gov/odf/Documents/forestbenefits/mch-for-douglas-fir-beetle.pdf
If the bore holes and other signs and symptoms on your tree do not match up with Douglas-fir beetle, then it is likely some other insect and may or may not be a problem. Larger holes in the bark are often the work of birds going after various types of insects. A key question is whether the tree is still looking healthy and green, or if there are signs of decline in the foliage.
If you want to send some photos of the tree, I can take a look. Photos of the bore holes as well as larger view of the whole tree and is crown (all the foliage).
