Protecting your Magnolia Tree from Insects

If insects have attacked your magnolia tree, there are a few things you can do to get rid of them and protect your tree of a future outbreak. The most common insects that feast off of magnolias are scale insects and spider mites, and you should check you tree periodically to make sure that your tree is not infected.

Remove Infected Areas

The first thing you should do when noticing insect infestation is to remove all infected areas. You can recognize these areas either by finding eggs on the back of leaves, eat marks or leaves turning brown. Once you have removed the areas, discard them or burn them away from your magnolia tree. Do not use the leftovers as mulch.

Apply Insect Repellent

Spray the base of the trunk and leaves with an insect repellent. Find a repellent that will attach both scale insects and spider mites and spray your trees ever 2 weeks or after a heavy rainfall until you have no more infected areas. Continue spraying once a month through summer and fall. This will help prevent them from returning.

Insects can cause a lot of damage to your trees and you should make sure that you protect them. Check your trees often and remove any problems as you find them. Doing these simple steps will help the infestation from spreading.