About a year ago, a southeast region USDAFS urban forester told me about a SPB deterrent a company was testing that seemed effective. He described the samples the company sent as a synthesized SPB pheremone that emits a signal telling infesting SPBs that a an uninfested tree is already filled with beetles, no more rooms, go elsewhere. The product, he said, was contained in large capsules that a climber tacked about six feet apart along the length of the trunk. He said he used the samples to treat pines in his yard during a SPB infestation. None of those trees, he said, were infested and he considered the product promising. It wasn't to market then.

Has anyone heard of such a product, tried it, know of any tests with it, know if it is on the market and, if so, where I can find it. Cumulative and worsening drought and a winter ice storm severely damaging pines here in Atlanta could bring a heavy SPB infestation this year. Also mitigating has been the widespread practice of digital television receiver installation crews climbing pines with leg spikes to place the dishes in the tree tops.

I found my first infested trees yesterday in a pine with broken danglers and stubs from the storm. It's apparently a new attack. The pitch tubes are still fresh and pink and no real evidence of widespread gallery tunneling beneath the bark. If such a product is available, I'd like to try it on other weakened pines in the area. Thanks for any information anyone might have.

Tom

Reply to post by Tom Watson, on July 02, 2000 at 15:35:33:

Could this product be Verbenone?
EPA approved that product. But I don't know much about it, although I've heard a forester with US Forest Service in Asheville is familiar with. His name and number are: 828-257-4314 and his name is Rusty Ray. He doesn't know me, I don't know him. Charlotte Lackey. P.S. I'm not a forester or arborist. But I have six infected white pines in my backyard from a total of about 21 white pines which are 60-70 years old. What treatment does anyone out there recommend?