Elm Leaf Beetle Treatment

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About the Elm Leaf Beetle

Xanthogaleruca luteola or the Elm Leaf Beetle is a serious pest of the elm. Both the beetles and larvae feed on the emergent leaves of the elm. Repeated heavy infestation kills the tree outright, rather it usually weakens it, rendering it vulnerable to attack by insects and diseases.

The Elm leaf beetle has very few natural predators and as a result the best method for treatment is with pesticide. There are two main methods for treatment- ground drenching (soil injecting) with pesticide and or trunk injection with pesticide.

At treelife we prefer the method of trunk injection. This method significantly reduces the amount of rather hazardous chemical used. It also treats the problem tree and not everything around it. Most importantly, it significantly reduces the loss of micro-organisms that die in the soil. It is these organisms that will improve your tree’s overall health into the future.

We suggest speaking to neighbours who also have Elm trees if you’re considering treatment, to avoid longer term re-infestation.

The chemicals used for Elm Beetle Control and hazardous. This is where our knowledge and experience is crucial. We offer advice a free quote for treatment, give Treelife a call or use our online enquiry form.

Elm Beetles aoughly 6mm long, yellowish to olive green with a striped back. Their eggs are 4-6mm long and bright orange-yellow. Larvae are generally 10-11mm long, green to yellow, black head and two black stripes on the back.

The evidence of your tree been affected by elm beetle is very easy to ascertain in October – Septembers when new foliage will appears. From December to February if the tree is being attacked by the adult beetle, it will have small shot holes within a large proportion of the foliage.

From March to May the Larvae will appear and skeletonise the foliage, until all you can see is the hard structure and veins of the leaves.

Pest control via trunk injection is best undertaken in spring (September – October) to maximize the use of the chemical.

If you would like for Treelife to come and inject or inspect your elm tree please contact us by phone or using our online enquiry form.

Cost for a single tree ranges from $150 – $280 +GST. This is based on the tree’s size. We offer a saving of 25% for additional trees.