As we start the new year, January marks a period for fresh starts and seasonal planning for managing our landscapes. Though our trees and shrubs may still be sleeping in the short cold days of winter, it won’t be long before the warm temperatures of spring reawaken the greenery in our backyards – and wake up the pests that go with them.
In the early growing season, many plants flushing with tender new growth are especially vulnerable to pest and disease attacks – which can happen fast, sometimes occurring within just a few days. One way to manage these issues effectively and sustainably involves a strategic approach called Integrated Pest Management – or IPM – which we will explain in this article.
What is IPM?
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a comprehensive, environmentally conscious approach to controlling pests and diseases in trees and landscapes. Rather than relying solely on harsh chemical treatments, IPM takes a multi-pronged strategy that combines multiple tactics. Some of these include:
- Monitoring pest populations – Our expert arborists and plant health care professionals are always on the watch for early stages of pest attacks that may not be visible to the untrained eye.
- Observing environmental conditions – External circumstances such as excessive rainfall or extreme heat and drought can stress trees and encourage pest attacks.
- Supportive tree health care – Recommended plans include holistic treatments such as our Soil Health Program to keep your trees healthy and resilient from the ground up.
- Using a tiered arsenal of targeted interventions – Control options are tailored to directly target the stage, timing, and severity of infestation.
This integrative approach effectively addresses pest and disease issues on multiple levels while minimizing environmental damage and safeguarding the health of your trees. By prioritizing prevention and long-term solutions, IPM is an efficient and cost-effective choice for homeowners looking to safely and sustainably protect their trees and properties.
Proactive Care
Keeping trees and shrubs healthy with holistic care is an essential first step to managing many pest and disease problems - because healthy trees are much less likely to invite pest issues in the first place. There are many holistic services offered by Monster Tree Service that can improve the health of your trees, giving them an upfront advantage to ward off pest and diseases attacks. Some of these include:
- Soil Health Program – The majority of tree health issues are directly related to poor soil conditions. Restoring soil health can have a major impact on resolving many pest and disease problems.
- Root Collar Excavations – Buried root flares frequently contribute to many tree heath and pest issues.
- Proper Planting – Monster’s Professional Tree Planting service ensures that your trees get their best start, making them less prone to health problems in the future.
- Professional Pruning – Proper pruning can make a world of difference for tree health by promoting the penetration of air and light that promotes strong canopy structure and wards off pest and disease threats.
Scheduling is key - Understanding the timing of pests and their life cycles
A key element to effective pest management is understanding - and predicting - the timing of pest life cycles, so that pests and diseases can be controlled in their earliest and most vulnerable stages. Many of these early stages may not be visible to the untrained eye of the average homeowner, and all too often they are not noticed until extensive damage has already occurred.
Monster Tree Service’s expert arborists and plant health care professionals have a deep understanding of the local trees and their associated pests that occur in your area - and they have the expertise to prescribe a scheduled plan of treatments that works. Our strategic treatment plans effectively and selectively target pests, stopping them from becoming major threats to the health and appearance of your landscape – now and in the future.
Staying ahead of the game with renewals
Predicting and detecting the first signs of damaging pests can be difficult on your own. Often infestations are found long after an initial attack - and all too frequently advanced stages could have been warded off long in advance with proper monitoring and prescribed treatment plans.
Monster Tree Service takes the guesswork out of your property pest management by offering yearly renewable Plant Health Care services. Signing up for our yearly service renewal plans can give you peace of mind, knowing that your property is in the hands of our expert tree care professionals. With our annual inspections and yearly scheduled services, Monster Tree Service is on your side - and on the lookout - to spot and take out pest and disease issues early on, before they become big problems that cause major damage.
Now is the time to take action against the pests and diseases that are waiting to take aim at your trees. Call and schedule your yearly tree health care services with your expert arborist professionals at Monster Tree Service today!