Elm Beetle Control Sydney: Top 2 Treatment Methods In 2024

These beetles first originated in Mornington Peninsula and have since spread across the Sydney district, where they have become a problem for the elm trees in this area; hence their name.

We have mentioned the 2 methods for controlling the elm beetles in Sydney, with one method standing out.

 

Facts About Elm Leafs

Did you know that the oldest elm leaf ever recorded lived for about 140 years? In 1997, it was estimated that there were about 33,729 elm leaves within the state, but now, in 2024, there are over 70,000 elm leaves in Sydney-Victoria.

Elm leaves can be found in various locations, including:

• Schools
• Parks
• Public gardens
• Private gardens
• Streets places (City/rural)

The elm leaf has thrived in Sydney so much that it can be found across many locations in this district.

There are different types of elm leaves that are dependent on their origins. These elm leaves include:

• Elms of European and American Origin:
  • Dutch elms
  • English elms
  • Golden elms
  • Variegated elms
  • Weeping elms
  • Horizontal elms
• Chinese elms
• Japanese Zelkovas

 

What are the Benefits of the Elm Leaf?

• They serve as a healing salve for:
  • Wounds
  • Boils
  • Ulcers
  • Burns
  • Skin inflammation
• It is taken orally to relieve:
  • Coughs
  • Sore throats
  • Diarrhea
  • Stomach problems

 

Read also: Elephant Beetle: The Trending Beetle’s Facts

 

Facts About Elm Beetles

The elm leaf beetle was first discovered in one of the local governments in Sydney, Mornington Peninsula, in 1989. Since then, these bugs have been discovered in vast populations across the district.

During spring, elm beetles fly to elm trees to feed and lay their eggs underneath the leaves. At first, you may not notice any signs of these bugs until the damage is done.

The leaves begin to change color, and you can see holes in the elm leaves. This is a clear sign of hibernating elms.

 

What Do Elm Leaf Beetles Look Like?

Elm leaf beetles are approximately 5–6 mm in length and often resemble the size of a large grain of rice.

These beetles are yellow to olive green in color and often have dark stripes that divide the center of their back. While growing, they may appear dull in coloration, but their colors, however, become projected later on.

 

What is the Lifecycle of the Elm Leaf Beetles?

During the winter season, adult elm leaf beetles will be found in areas close to human dwellings where they hibernate and take shelter from the frosty wind.

During this period there are minute signs of elm beetles. But during spring, these beetles come back to life and are back to continue feeding off the elm leaves.

As we earlier mentioned, they fly up to the elm leaves during the spring season to feed and hibernate. The tiny holes that are seen on the leaves during their infestation are known as shot holes and are a result of their feeding.

Adult beetles do not live for long, as they die within a short period after laying their eggs. Eggs are often laid after feeding and are usually yellow.

These eggs are laid underneath the elm leaves and will hatch into tiny black larvae after 7–10 days. The larvae do not even waste time before they start feeding. As they hatch, feeding immediately commences.

These small black larvae go through 3 instars (the developmental stage between molts) stages, where each upcoming stage feeds more than the previous stage. The larvae usually grow to a length of 12 mm.

These ungodly feeding habits are what endanger the elm leaves and, hence, the elm tree.

During the larval stage, the beetles all wander down to the trunk of the elm tree (mostly in the crevices), where they emerge as pupae.

Depending on the weather conditions, elm beetles emerge as adults after 7–11 days and fly back to the elm leaves to begin another cycle.

So now you see why these bugs are a problem.

 

Read also: How To Care For Dermestid Beetles

 

Why is the Elm Beetle Control Sydney Necessary?

In essence, what danger do these beetles pose to the elm leaf? After reading the information above, it should already be pretty obvious.

Because of how beneficial the elm leaf is in treating various health issues, it is important that elm beetle control Sydney be carried out without time wasting.

These beetles pose a great threat to elm trees across Sydney, and if they are not treated immediately, they are capable of defoliating (removing leaves prematurely) the leaves of the elm tree within a week due to their incessant feeding habit.

In Sydney, the golden elm and weeping elm leaves are more susceptible to being attacked by these beetles, and leaving them to continue attacking these trees will cause the following:

• Discoloration of leaves.
• The trees become prone to fungal diseases.
• The tree becomes weak.
• The tree loses its value.
• The tree is unable to photosynthesize. This is bad because, without photosynthesis, the tree can no longer reserve energy that will carry it through its period of dormancy.

The larval stage of these bugs is the most fierce, as they incessantly feed on the leaves as they grow through the instar stages. As they progress through these larval stages, their feeding consumption also increases.

We earlier mentioned that their growth can also depend on the weather conditions. Yes. An increase in temperature will cause a speed in their growth process, which then causes their infestation rate to increase.

An increase in their infestation rate will only cause a decrease in the population of healthy elm trees, hence, elm beetle control Sydney is very important and needs to be carried out as soon as an infestation is perceived.

 

What are the Top 2 Treatment Options For Elm Beetle Control Sydney?

1. Stem Injection:

The stem injection treatment method is very beneficial, as it not only controls the elm leaves but also the fruit borers that may be present in the tree.

It is safe for children and pets to be around the elm tree during and even after the stem injection, as this method is effective yet environment-friendly.

It is advisable to apply this treatment option between the months of June and October, as this is the time when new, fresh elm leaves spring. This treatment can, however, be applied at any time of the year.

How are stem injectors applied to the elm tree? Well, below are the steps to follow:

1. Places small injectors into the sap streams of the elm tree.
2. After about 14–30 minutes, you can now remove the injectors

Note: The number of injectors is dependent on how large the tree is.

With the number of stem injectors, you can determine the amount of pesticide that should be applied to the tree. This method is safe because the pesticides are sealed inside the tree; hence, there is no contact whatsoever with humans or pets.

2. Soil Injection:

Unlike the previous method of treatment, this method involves injecting insecticidal solutions into the soil area surrounding the root of the elm tree.

This is an unsafe method compared to the stem injection.

 

What is the Best Elm Beetle Control Sydney Treatment Method?

Of the two methods earlier mentioned, the stem injection seems to be the best elm beetle control Sydney treatment method and this is due to the following:

• This method is safe for children and pets
• The stem injection treatment option provides 2 years of elm beetle control Sydney dwellers.
• There is no contact with earthworms or beneficial soil creatures.
• The streams are safe.

We can guarantee you 2 years of full control from these pests on your elm tree. It is advisable to carry out treatment again after 2 years of original treatment.

 

Read also: How To Get Rid Of Japanese Beetles In 4 Easy Ways

 

Conclusion

Elm beetle control in Sydney is very necessary for people dwelling in these areas, as they stand a high risk of having their elm leaves and trees infested by these dreadful pests.

Elm leaves have served as beneficial leaves to humans for years, as they have been known to soothe a sore throat, treat wounds, and even ease digestive disorder symptoms, etc.

These leaves are precious and must be protected by all means from the elm leaf beetles. What did you learn from this information? Do let us know via the comments section below!

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