Summer Insect Update! Mild spring conditions have resulted in population explosions in several insects that damage our trees and shrubs.

In Colorado, the month of May normally includes several very cold nights and even a few snow storms. These lagging winter conditions help to reduce several insect’s populations as they begin to come out of their dormancy. The spring of 2010 gave us a May that was wonderfully mild, with only three nights that dropped below freezing and none that went below 30 degrees. These mild conditions along with one of the warmest summers on record have combined to create conditions that are ideal for insect development. And the insects have taken advantage.

We have seen extremely high populations of mealybug, aphids, mites, plant bug, thrips, various caterpillars, scale and beetles. These insects inflict tremendous amounts of damage on our landscape plants. In typical seasons the damage is stressful to the plants, but the plants can recover. 2010 has resulted in populations that are so high that they are completely overtaking even the established plants.Monitoring your plant material is the best way to stay ahead of insect and disease issues. Mountain High’s Arborists and Plant Health Care Technicians are here to help you keep a watchful eye on your landscapes and keep them healthy. Please let us know if we can help you.