Insects & Disease
Douglas-fir beetle and mountain pine beetle are native insects that attack and may kill trees by girdling the sapwood under the bark. Although a natural phenomenon, bark beetle infestations can become epidemic, killing large patches of trees as well as highly valued individual trees near homes. Pheromones (also known as bubble caps) can be attached to healthy trees, putting out a signal that the tree is already occupied and telling attacking beetles to “stay away”. We offer these pheromone packets at a reduced cost.
Bubble Caps
MCH for Douglas-fir: $25 for 10 bubble caps (1 pack)
Verbenone for ponderosa and lodgepole pine: $110 for 10 bubble caps (1 pack)
Each year, we take orders for bubble caps from January-March.
SVC is a licensed pesticide dealer and installer - if you’d like for us to install your bubble caps for you at an additional cost, let us know.
This short documentary film tells the story of Professor Diana Six from the University of Montana and her work on the mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae). This film was made with a team of scientists and filmmakers at the International Wildlife Film Festival Filmmaker Labs in Missoula, Montana and was screened at the festival.
Cedar-apple rust on a juniper.
Photo by Andrea DiNino
More information and resources on Forest Pest Management can be found on the Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation’s website.