Magic Pest Control in Austin, Texas

At Magic Pest, we are the experts in pest control. One of the best things we get to do is identify pests and discover the best way to excavate them from a property safely without further damage. We are able to identify and manage pests, rodents and insects of all different sizes, shapes and backgrounds. Whatever is keeping you up at night, we can get you resting peacefully again, knowing your home is in good hands and protected from all of the creepy crawlies, like….The Redheaded Ash Borer

Springtime Pests

The Redheaded Ash Borer sounds worse than they are…but if you’re in the lumber or plant nursery business, they can definitely be a problem. They can also be a pest if you use cut lumber for firewood inside your home, because they can emerge from the firewood. While they won’t cause damage to your home, they certainly aren’t fun to have indoors. We usually get a lot of calls about them during the Springtime when they are at their most active point in their lifecycle. So what is a Red Ash Borer? 

The Redheaded Ash Borer

A Redheaded Ash Borer is a red colored beetle. Adults have a noticeable red head and thorax with four stripes of yellowish hairs across their brownish wings. Most adults only measure between 4-18 mm, so it’s a small red headed beetle with yellowish bands or stripes. The pupae of this beetle overwinter in trees, cut lumber and firewood and emerge in the spring, often attracted to porch lights. Once fully matured, they will lay their eggs under the bark of ash, oak and hickory trees primarily. Healthy trees are not usually at risk, they are attracted to newly planted or weak trees. The larvae will feed off the wood as they develop to emerge, mate and lay eggs again. 

Hardwood Targets

The Redheaded Ash Borer is known to target Ash, Oak, Hickory, Persimmon and Hackberry trees. They have also been found in fruit trees and in some cases, even grapevines. While they target weak or dying trees, one of the biggest problems is caused at nurseries. Tree nurseries struggle with this beetle because it targets new or young trees. As the larvae develop and feed, they cut off the nutrient, mineral and water supply to the tree and the tree will die. Having an entire inventory of trees wiped out because of this pest is costly to nurseries. In older, mature trees the trunk and branches are targeted which weakens the tree. In younger trees, the larvae will feed vertically up the trunk as well as around the trunk of the tree making it more susceptible to wind damage. 

How To Control Redheaded Ash Borer Infestations

There are two different approaches our team can take to control a Redheaded Ash Borer infestation or to prevent one from happening. The first approach is a bark spray that targets the females laying the eggs as well as any new developing larvae. The second approach we utilize is a soil drench used as a preventative measure. Because this product is applied at the root, the product is actually pulled up into the nutrient system of the tree where this pest dwells and eats. Both of these methods should be used together and are usually applied in Springtime when the tree is in active growth. 

Contact Magic Pest

If you have a concern about this pest or need help identifying a pest at your home or business, give us a call! We love finding species and identifying them. Let us help clear up your pest problems today and prevent them from coming back too. We are proud to serve the entire Austin area. How can we help you and your home or business to stay pest free?