Insect Control

Insects can weaken trees and shrubs quickly if they are not identified and treated at the right time. Our approach focuses on accurate diagnosis, smart treatment options, and long-term monitoring to protect your landscape while minimizing unnecessary chemical use.

For a free estimate or to schedule a consultation, call 508-865-3936.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

At R.W. Emmott, we practice Integrated Pest Management (IPM), an effective and environmentally sensitive approach that relies on a combination of practical, common-sense methods. IPM uses current information about pest life cycles and how pests interact with the environment, then applies the most economical solution with the least possible risk to people, property, and the surrounding landscape.

IPM is not a single treatment. It is a process of evaluation, decision-making, and ongoing control based on what your plants actually need.

Correct Identification Comes First

The key to effective insect control is identifying the insect and the type of damage it causes to the host plant. Most insect damage falls into three primary feeding categories.

Piercing and Sucking Insects

Common signs: Leaf discoloration, wilting, premature leaf drop
Common pests: Aphids, scale, leaf hoppers, mites, leaf miners

Leaf Chewers and Defoliators

Common signs: Holes in leaves, defoliation of leaves or needles
Common pests: Beetles, caterpillars, webworms, cankerworms

Borers

Common signs: Holes in the trunk, galleries under the bark in the cambium region
Common pests: Asian longhorn beetle, bark beetles, emerald ash borer, bronze birch borer

Treatment Options

Once woolly adelgid is found, there are several proven treatment paths, depending on the infestation and site conditions.

Horticultural oils: Effective with low risk and minimal impact on the surrounding environment.
Imidacloprid: A highly effective systemic treatment applied through soil applications or trunk injections, with foliar options also available.

Hemlock Care Tips During Adelgid Pressure

Hemlocks are shallow-rooted and can be prone to drought stress, which can make infestations worse. Consistent watering helps reduce stress during treatment.

Watering guideline: About 1 inch of water per week to help prevent drought stress.
Do not fertilize hemlocks with woolly adelgid: Nitrogen can increase sap-sucking insect activity, which can accelerate decline.

Featured Pest: Hemlock Woolly Adelgid

Please take a look at the video to see one of the application methods we use in our plant health care services. Soil root injections are an excellent option for systemic absorption of insecticides into a tree or plant’s vascular system.