By Darrell Stranger

Spruce and Douglas-fir beetle population on rise

Mar 1, 2019 | 2:51 PM

PRINCE GEORGE- The recent cold spell we had at the beginning of the month has affected a lot of people but the same cannot be said about the pesky spruce and Douglas-fir beetles.

Both the spruce and Douglas-fir beetles are currently on an upswing in terms of population and the effect they have on the trees in the area. The beetles can survive underneath the snowpack at the base of the trees during these colder temperatures which is why the cold snap needs to last for days at a time in order to have an impact on their population. Warmer seasonal temperatures over the last few years are one of the biggest contributing factors to this growth, something forestry services are keeping their eye on.

Entomologists are also noticing that with the increase in population, the beetles are targeting healthier trees as opposed to the more rotten ones. So, what can people do to protect their own trees from getting attacked by the bugs? Pheremones can be purchased from forestry services or repellent from the local store. Other than that, not a whole lot can be done to prevent the beetles from attacking your tree at this time.