Insect & Disease Management
The Dayton area is a hot spot for several highly destructive tree diseases and insect pests, including Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) and Dutch Elm Disease. Plus, we have the usual problems with apple scab, fire blight, needle drop and other diseases that disfigure but don’t necessarily kill your trees.
You can learn more about many of these on our YouTube channel.
If you have ash trees on your property, please see our page on EAB Treatment & Control. EAB isn’t something to be taken lightly and needs a timely response if you want to save your ash trees.
Our Approach To Insect & Disease Problems
For other insect and disease problems, Arbor Experts uses a system called Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
Instead of spraying everything with pesticides and fungicides according to some predetermined schedule, we take a measured approach in which we use the least toxic treatments at the right time based on insect life cycles and disease progression. This is definitely not a one-size-fits-all approach!
What Is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?
IPM is an environmentally sensitive approach to pest and disease management that provides more effective results with less need for harmful chemicals. Ultimately, results are more successful and safer for people, pets, and the environment. IPM also saves money that may be spent on unnecessary pesticides.
How Does IPM Work?
IPM requires frequent monitoring to look for signs that pest populations have increased to a point at which they need to be controlled or that environmental conditions are ripe for disease outbreak. This is part of the reason why we recommend an annual tree inspection.
We don’t generally apply treatments on a set schedule or at the first sighting of an insect – instead, we apply pest and disease controls at the time when they are most likely to be effective.
This means that pesticides won’t be used when they are not really needed and that the right kind of targeted pesticide will be used. Broadcast spraying of non-specific pesticides is a last resort if other methods don’t produce acceptable results.
Did You Know?
We may be able to provide a diagnosis online! Simply submit one or more photos of the problem and answer a few questions. Our Certified Arborists will diagnose the issue and send you their recommendations for what to do.
Dayton Area Tree Pests & Diseases
There are many common problems affecting both deciduous and evergreen trees in the Dayton area. So we created videos and resources to show you what each looks like and how to treat it. Just click the links below!
Fireblight - Dying branch tips in apple, pear and crabapple trees
Chlorosis - Yellow tree leaves with green veins
Crabapple Diseases - Common diseases that can defoliate and even kill the tree.
Emerald Ash Borer - Treat now or your ash trees will die
Scale Insects - White or brownish dots on trunks and stems of declining trees
Dothistroma Needle Blight - Dying needles on older pine branches
Boxwood Leafminer - Yellowing, blistered leaves and small orange midges flying around the shrub in spring
Japanese Beetles - These beetles quickly devour leaves, giving them a lace-like appearance
5 Destructive Tree Pests in the Dayton Area - Do you have any of these pests on your trees?
5 Worst Tree Diseases in the Dayton Area - If your tree looks "sick" it's probably one of these common and damaging diseases