Protecting Loblolly Pines from Bark Beetles in Houston

Systemic Soil Drenches Don't Work on Bark Beetles

Imidacloprid moves in xylem (water-conducting tissue). Bark beetles feed in phloem (inner bark)—they don't ingest enough toxin.

Effective Prevention: Trunk Spray

Spray trunks to runoff with Onyx (bifenthrin) in early spring and again in mid-summer. This creates a contact barrier that kills beetles landing on the bark. Reach as high as possible—southern pine beetle and Ips attack mid-trunk; black turpentine beetle attacks lower 12–16 ft.

Cultural Vigilance

• Water deeply during drought (1 inch/week).
• Thin dense stands to reduce competition.
• Monitor Texas A&M Forest Service alerts for local beetle population spikes.