Rice, Van Vleet give updates on beetle infestation

Some of the ponderosa pine trees lining Lake Street in Colfax are infested with three types of pine beetles. Pine needles on this tree indicate that it is dying from the infestation. The pine beetle infestation in Colfax was discovered in July, and work has been underway to attempt to save some of the trees and combat the problem.

Infested trees ooze sap as a response to a beetle attack.

The beetle infestation in Colfax and parts of Whitman County is still being monitored and solutions being sought, reported WSU Extension Agent Steve Van Vleet.

“I met yesterday with the Colfax mayor, and we are developing a plan of what to do,” Van Vleet said Monday. “We're looking at removing some of the trees.”

In July, three types of beetles were found to be infesting ponderosa pine trees in Colfax. The beetles include western pine beetles, which infest trees at the four to eight foot range in spaghetti- like tunnel patterns; turpentine beetles, which infest at the bottom of trees within the first two feet, and ips beetles, which typically infest at the top and kill smaller diameter trees.

“We have a lot of problems here with the beetles,” said Van Vleet. “I don't know how far-reaching it is, but it's definitely an issue in the city.”

City arborist Molly Rice said she has gotten calls from residents in Spokane, Garfield and Palouse with concerns about possible beetle infestations. Some of those are still being looked into.

“We're going to continue to monitor,” said Rice.

The Endicott Community Club two weeks ago reported that several trees were removed from the Multiflora Park in Endicott with bark beetle disease. Rice and Van Vleet said no one from Endicott has called them in regard to this, so they are not sure if the same types of beetles were infesting those trees.

Van Vleet advised calling the WSU Extension Office in Colfax if a beetle infestation is suspected. He cautioned that the trees have to be removed and disposed of properly in order to combat the beetles.

“You don't want the trees to just sit after you remove them,” he said. “If they've been dead for a long time, then there's no more beetles, but if they haven't, then letting them sit could lead to the beetles getting out and infesting other trees. You have to actually burn them immediately.”

Rice echoed this.

“It actually has to be burned and destroyed, or the beetles continue,” she said.

Both also said putting a tree through a wood chipper is not a good option.

“You miss hundreds of beetles with chipping it because they're so small,” said Van Vleet.

Van Vleet said he has been collecting a lot of beetles over the last couple of months with the use of pheromone traps.

“I got over 700 or so beetles in just one week, and the time before that, I got 500 in a week,” he said. “That's not even a dent. There's hundreds of thousands out there.”

Rice said the most important thing right now is educating people.

“The most vital thing is getting the information out,” she said.

Van Vleet said he wants to be able to provide education to property owners within the city who may be affected, and he wants to link up with the county to address the issue as well. He also said he is going to try a new approach with trees that still might be able to be saved.

“We are using a kind of drench,” he said. “We are using a systemic insecticide on the trees. Hopefully it will work. It could save the trees.”

The systemic insecticide will be injected into the trees.

“We're going to do it on trees that can be saved,” he said, noting if the trees are more than half dead, they are a lost cause. He also noted some of the trees may be able to fight off a beetle infestation with enough water.

“Make sure you provide your trees with water when you can,” he said.

Van Vleet advised calling the extension office to report possible beetle infestations or for help with properly removing or disposing of trees.

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