As a homeowner, you may keep a diligent eye on your trees, looking for early signs of disease. However, you should also watch for signs of termites in a tree. These dangerous insects can kill the plant in a few months without aggressive intervention from professionals offering tree services in Greenwich, CT.
1. A Loss of Green Leaves in the Canopy
As termites burrow into the trunk and remove wood, they affect the paths the roots use to pass nutrients and moisture to the canopy. When the leaves in the canopy fail to receive the ingredients required to live, they may turn yellow or fall off the branches.
2. Insects Swarming Around the Trunk
Among the early indicators of tree termite problems that you may notice are tiny insects flying around the tree. These insects only swarm a few times a year as they look for new nesting areas. They resemble flying ants swarming around the trunk.
Because it only happens at certain times of the year, you might miss the swarm as it’s occurring. If you see piles of insect wings near the base of the trunk, the insects may have just completed a swarming and shed their wings.
3. Mud Tubes or Holes in the Trunk
One of the most obvious signs of termites in a tree stems from mud tubes built upward from the ground along the trunk. These insects need the mud tubes to maintain the proper level of body moisture for survival.
Absent seeing mud tubes, one of the most obvious termite infestation symptoms on tree bark is holes in the trunk. Such holes give the insects an easy entry point to reach the wood they need to survive. These tiny holes usually measure no more than 0.125 inches in diameter.
4. Piles of Droppings or Dust Near the Trunk’s Base
Small piles resembling sawdust or dirt near the base of the trunk could indicate a termite infestation. These particles include bits of wood that the insects are excavating from the holes in the trunks and branches. Droppings from the insects may also appear in those piles. You might notice dead insects or body parts in the piles.
5. Frequent Appearance of Animals Near the Trunk
Several types of animals eat termites. If you suddenly start seeing new animals digging or standing near the trunk, you might have an insect infestation. Woodpeckers, swallows, bats, foxes, snakes, frogs, toads, and chickens all eat termites.
When You Need To Eradicate Termites in a Trunk, Ask for Help From Frank’s Arborcare, LLC
If you believe you’re seeing signs of termites in a tree in Greenwich, CT, you should call the professionals at Frank’s Arborcare, LLC. Our team has the experience and expertise required for saving a dying tree.
Although some homeowners know how to identify termite damage in trees, others might be unsure about what they’re seeing and need help from our professionals. For a free cost estimate for eliminating or preventing termites in landscape trees, call us today at (203) 423-9523.
