Mountain Pine Beetle in Washington
CRITICALInsect
Mountain Pine Beetle is currently active in Washington. Watch your susceptible trees closely and act early.
About Mountain Pine Beetle
A native bark beetle responsible for massive die-offs of lodgepole, ponderosa, and whitebark pines across western North America. Climate change has expanded its range northward and to higher elevations. Outbreaks have affected tens of millions of acres.
Symptoms to watch for
Popcorn-shaped pitch tubes on trunk, boring dust in bark crevices, fading needle color from green to sorrel to gray, blue-stain fungus in sapwood cross-sections, woodpecker flaking of bark
Trees at risk in Washington
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Treatment options
Verbenone Repellent Pouches
Anti-aggregation pheromone (verbenone) applied in pouches on high-value individual trees to deter beetle attack. Useful for protecting campground and residential trees but not practical at landscape scale.
Preventive Thinning and Salvage Logging
Reducing stand density and removing infested trees to slow beetle spread. Most effective when initiated early in an outbreak cycle. Improves vigor of remaining trees.
Recommended Products & Tools
Helpful supplies for managing Mountain Pine Beetle. Always read and follow label directions, and confirm a diagnosis before treating.
Knocks down soft-bodied pests like aphids, mites, and scale crawlers.
Smothers overwintering eggs and crawlers; dormant or summer rates.
Soil-applied protection taken up by the tree for season-long control.
Sharp, clean cuts to remove affected wood — a tree-care essential.
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Need help with Mountain Pine Beetle in Washington?
Connect with ISA Certified Arborists serving Washington:
Browse all Washington arborists →Frequently asked questions
Is Mountain Pine Beetle in Washington?
Mountain Pine Beetle is currently active in Washington. Watch your susceptible trees closely and act early.
What does Mountain Pine Beetle look like?
Popcorn-shaped pitch tubes on trunk, boring dust in bark crevices, fading needle color from green to sorrel to gray, blue-stain fungus in sapwood cross-sections, woodpecker flaking of bark
What trees does Mountain Pine Beetle affect in Washington?
It affects Ponderosa Pine, Eastern White Pine. Susceptibility varies by species.
How do I treat Mountain Pine Beetle?
Options include: Verbenone Repellent Pouches, Preventive Thinning and Salvage Logging. Confirm the diagnosis before treating, and consider a certified arborist for high-value trees.