The Pine Beetle Problem in British Columbia
A growing threat

It's hard to believe that something the size of a grain of rice has had such a devastating effect on our forests. Our mature pine and mild weather have allowed the pine beetle population to explode to epidemic levels. The infested area has doubled in size in 2003 covering all forest regions in British Columbia with the largest area in the South Cariboo region north to Fort St. James. The beetles attack lodgepole pine, ponderosa pine and rarely the white pine. The provincial government is looking for new and alternative uses for the dead trees, as they are not salvageable for traditional use and there is also the risk of fire, as the dead trees become fuel.
See the growing problem

The effects of the beetle

Pine beetle infestation will go through three colour stages:

Green: Beetles have infested the tree, but this cannot be detected or mapped from the air. The tree appears normal and appear healthy.
Red: The beetles have left the tree after mining the layer between the bark and wood. This occurs in the year following the initial attack. The pine needles turn red and this is an indication that the tree is dying because the combined impact of the beetles and a fungus they carry has cut the tree off from its supply of water and nutrients.
Grey: The beetles are now long gone and the tree has been dead for some time. The needles have fallen away, leaving the tree looking grey and barren. This typically occurs in the year following the red stage.

The lifecycle of the beetle

The mountain pine beetle only lives for a year. The female beetle bores through the bark, emits pheromones to attract a male for mating and lay their eggs. After undergoing the larval and pupal phases, adult beetles fly in search of new pine for food and reproduction purposes. This can begin as early as June, in very warm clients, and runs through July and August when trees are most vulnerable to infestation due to water deficiency.

Evidence of infestation

Healthy pine trees can often withstand light attacks by exuding resin to expel beetles. Large, whitish pitch tubes may indicate the tree has repelled a beetle attack. Smaller, reddish-brown pitch tubes and lots of dust from boring the bark mean the beetle attack has been successful and the tree will soon die. Adult beetles also carry a fungus that they deposit into the sapwood. This fungus causes dehydration while inhibiting a tree's natural defences and stains the wood blue. However, these blue-streaked logs are just as strong as other pine logs. Research has proven that beetle-killed wood stained blue by the fungus remains structurally sound and safe for building.

Natural control agents: the weather

Freezing temperatures will stop a beetle epidemic. Sudden cold snaps of -25 C in the early fall or late spring or sustained frigid weather of -40 C in the winter can kill populations of beetles and end serious outbreaks. However in the last few years we have had mild winters and hot dry summers allowing the beetle to multiply and expand into new regions.

Taking action against the beetle

The government of British Columbia has committed itself to an aggressive course of action:

  • Committing more than $100 million over the last three years
  • Creating a task force in June 2001 to address the epidemic and guide the Minister in developing a strategic plan
  • Launching the Mountain Pine Beetle Action Plan in November 2001 to implement recommendations of the task force, industry and other affected parties.
  • Appointing a provincial bark beetle coordinator to oversee action plan, provide technical expertise, coordinate cross-agency liaison and report directly to the Minister of Forests.
  • In northern B.C. increasing the allowable annual cuts to reduce spread and to salvage growing amounts of damaged timber.
  • Logging 22 million cubic metres of beetle wood last year to reduce spread
  • Removing red tape to be more efficient and effective in managing the problem.

What can we do to fight back?

Aerial and ground detection, pheromone baiting, falling and burning, and a variety of logging techniques are all being used by the government to help manage the infestation. Tight controls on the hauling and milling of infested logs are in place to help prevent the spread to new areas. On an ongoing basis the government reviews its policies with community leaders, forest managers, forest health authorities, industry experts, First Nations, environmental representatives and other stakeholders. Unfortunately the Mountain Pine Beetle is no longer a forestry problem as more and more infestations are being found on private property.

There are a number of steps one can take to help alleviate the potential for a beetle infestation.
  • Early detection is key. Look for holes and dust created by the beetles drilling into the bark, pitch tubes, increased woodpecker activity and discoloured needles. Peel away bark to expose larvae galleries and beetles. Make sure to check for beetles when hauling pine firewood.
  • If infested, contact Tech Mist Spray Solutions to treat the trees with sprays or Pheromone repellants
  • Trees can also be felled and burned on site during the winter. Obtain necessary permits. This is some 30 times more expensive than spraying the tree and still having it around
  • Contact Tech Mist to spray trees in March - July. The beetles die when they emerge and ingest the treated bark.