Common Tree Pests in the Lake Tahoe Basin

Learn more about the common tree pests that impact the greater Truckee-Tahoe region.

Tree pests resources image of carpenter ants

Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants will reside in your tree if they detect decaying wood. These insects use knots and cracks in the tree to gain access and feed on the dead wood fiber. While carpenter ants do not normally kill a tree, they may invade your home if the tree is nearby.

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Tree pests resources image of fir engravers

Fir Engravers

Fir engraver beetles typically attack the upper portion of white and red firs, though heavy infestations can kill the entire tree. A tree may be able to survive with a dead top, but prompt removal is recommended to avoid damage from breaking and falling.

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Tree pests resources image of mountain pine beetle

Mountain Pine Beetles

These insects target pines, and you can recognize their presence by the white and red pitch tubes they leave on a tree. Mountain pine beetles carry the blue stain fungus to a tree, restricting water flow to its needles, eventually killing it entirely.

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Tree pests resources image of red turpentine beetles

Red Turpentine Beetles

Red turpentine beetles target pines but typically don’t kill them. Instead, they will weaken the tree and leave it more susceptible to other illnesses or insects. Identification relies on spotting dark red pitch tubes at the tree’s base.

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Tree pests resources image of aphids

Aphids

Aphids are a broad group of insects that attack needles, stems, and other soft plant tissue. Most trees have a few species of aphids that target them. Damage from aphids is generally not fatal, and many arborists recommend introducing predatory insects to control them, such as ladybugs or lace wings.

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A close-up image of scale insects on a tree branch

Scale Insects

Scale insects come in two forms: armored and soft. Scales can be difficult to detect, as it typically looks like bumps on the tree to the untrained eye. These pests do not typically kill trees, but they can damage them and stunt their growth.

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A white satin moth clinging on a reed

White Satin Moths

An invasive species from Eurasia, white satin moths have been responsible for defoliating many native trees in the Tahoe Basin. Keeping your trees stress-free and properly watered is a significant factor in protecting your landscape from white satin moths.

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Tree pest resource image of needleminers

Needleminers

Needle miners attack pines, firs, and spruces by feeding on the needles. The typical signs of a needle miner infestations are yellow or brown needles, reduced growth, and early needle drop. Advanced infestations can kill trees if left untreated.

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