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 Pine BeetleWestern and mountain pine beetle populations are on the rise in the City of Kelowna. These insects are serious pests of native and exotic pines. Recent infestations have killed thousands of trees in some areas of Kelowna.
Unfortunately the future outlook is bleak. In spite of control efforts, beetle populations are increasing in surrounding forests and spilling over into urban areas, similar to the previous pattern seen in Kamloops, Prince George and other B.C. cities and towns.
Recent News
Updated April 20, 2009
More than 1,000 infested trees were removed from Kelowna parks last winter. Funding was received from the Federal ($180,000) and Provincial ($307,000) governments to assist with these and other forest fuel management efforts this year.
Major areas of infestation included:
Quick Links
Assistance Program for Private Properties
In 2008, Service Canada contributed $290,000 in funding for the Assistance Program for Private Properties to aid in the disposal of infested trees from private properties, in partnership with the City of Kelowna. This program has re-started for the period of April - September 2009, through Service BC. Please phone the Beetle Hotline for more information at 250-469-8457.
How do I know if I have Pine Beetle?
Download the Pine Beetle Brochure
Look for these signs:
- Entire crown (all of the foliage) turns yellow, then red
- Bark bears regular pattern of "pitch tubes" (see photo below) where beetles have bored into the bark; boring dust may also be present
- Woodpeckers peeling the bark to get at the beetles
- Live beetles or tiny white grubs and a characteristic pattern of tunnels are revealed when bark is pulled away
- Beetles eventually stain the wood blue due to a fungus that is introduced.
If these signs are evident, the tree should be removed and properly disposed of before beetles are allowed to re-emerge.
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IMPORTANT:
Infested trees must be treated to destroy beetle brood
(e.g. debarked, burned, chipped or thoroughly buried).
DO NOT store infested wood or use it as firewood unless it has been treated.
See options for preventing beetle attack.
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Blue stain evidence |
Resin pitch tubes may be visible |
Evidence of a woodpecker |
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Galleries in bark |
Galleries |
Pine beetle adult |
Pine beetle adult and larvae |
Contact
Pine Beetle Hotline: 250 469-8457
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