Following is a list of local businesses in the Grand Traverse area that provide services for controlling gypsy moths. This list is provided as a public service and does not constitute an endorsement by the Grand Traverse Conservation District. Homeowners are encouraged to obtain several quotes and references for suppression services.
Cobb’s Pest Control
3277 [...]
Category Archives: Diseases and Pests Articles
Ground Applicators for Gypsy Moth Control
March 5, 2010 – 12:14 pm
Gypsy Moth Information
March 3, 2010 – 5:10 pm
History
Life-Cycle
Caterpillar Comparison
Natural Enemies
Host Species
Tent Caterpillar & Gypsy Moth Identification & Natural Controls
Methods for Controlling the Gypsy Moth
BT for Suppression
Don't Move the Gypsy Moth!
For Teachers: Gypsy Moth Cirriculum
Ground Applicators
Pesticide Applicators
Emerald Ash Borer
February 26, 2008 – 1:50 pm
The Emerald Ash Borer is an exotic pest introduced to Michigan ports through wooden pallets and packing materials from China. It is believed that all varieties of ash in Michigan will eventually be at risk to this devastating insect. For this reason, the Emerald Ash Borer poses a serious threat. The adult beetle is bright [...]
Tar Spots on Maple Trees
February 26, 2008 – 1:48 pm
Early symptoms of tar spot fungal infection are now appearing on maple leaves. Leaves are infected in late spring when wind-borne spores land on leaves. Infected tissue turns light green or yellowish-green. As the infection progresses, the yellowish spots turn dark and eventually develop a black, shiny, tar-like tissue on the surface of the leaf.
This [...]
Maple Eyespot Gall
February 26, 2008 – 1:47 pm
The maple eyespot gall is caused by a small midge. The fly lays its eggs in the undersurface of the leaves. The maggot that hatches develops quickly and produces a growth regulating hormone that causes the bright red and yellow rings around the gall, usually in June. The maggot inside the gall completes its development [...]
Oak Apple Galls
February 26, 2008 – 1:46 pm
Oak apple gall is an abnormal growth of plant cells, formed as a response to a cynipid wasp laying eggs in the leaf or stem. These growths are called galls because they contain large amounts of tannin, which has a very bitter taste. The developing larvae live in the gall and eat from it. When [...]
Anthracnose Disease in Hardwoods
February 26, 2008 – 1:27 pm
Anthracnose is a very common springtime disease affecting many different shade trees. Ash, oak, and maple are among the most severely affected. The name - Anthracnose - is given to a variety of shade tree fungi. These fungi cause similar looking leaf spots, and can also cause leaf distortion and defoliation.
Anthracnose typically appears on the [...]
Tent Caterpillar
February 26, 2008 – 1:26 pm
Tent Caterpillars are out in force! Every place you look, you'll see the web-like tents with hundreds of caterpillars inside. The larvae often eat all the leaves off the host trees but the damage is not permanent and does not usually kill the tree.
Management
Prevention and early control is important. Removal and destruction of the egg [...]
Bark Beetles in Conifers
February 26, 2008 – 1:25 pm
The term "bark beetles" refers to numerous varieties of very small beetles which attack weakened or dying conifers. Though they will attack pine, spruce, or fir, in this part of Michigan they are mainly associated with red and white pine.
Healthy conifers can usually withstand bark beetle [...]
Winter Injury to Trees & Shrubs
February 26, 2008 – 1:22 pm
Despite winter dormancy, trees and shrubs can suffer severe injury over the winter months. Most winter injuries are associated with cold temperatures. Low temperatures injure plants more often than high temperatures. However, extreme temperature fluctuation is more damaging than prolonged cold weather.
Types of winter injury
Temperature Fluctuation: Extended periods of mild winter weather can deacclimate plants, [...]
Controlling Deer Damage
February 26, 2008 – 1:21 pm
White-tailed deer are present in every Michigan county. They make use of a wide range of habitats, and are prolific reproducers - a healthy herd grows an average of 20 to 30 percent each year. More than 75 percent of Michigan's deer population lives on private lands, and as their numbers increase and food becomes [...]
Cooley Spruce Gall Adelgid
February 26, 2008 – 1:19 pm
Adelgids are soft-bodied insects which feed by sucking plant juices. They are so small they are not readily seen. The nymphs of this species cause long curved persistent galls to form on the new shoot tip of blue spruce. These attacks may kill shoots and deform the tree.
If given the opportunity, the nymphs will spend [...]
Fall Webworm
February 26, 2008 – 1:18 pm
The fall webworm is a native caterpillar that constructs large, unsightly webs on the outer ends of tree branches. The silk webs are formed around the shoots and leaves of shade trees when the caterpillars are young. As the caterpillars feed and grow, the web is expanded to surrounding leaves and becomes larger and larger. [...]