Contracted companies spray to help prevent pine beetles on campus

There have been people wearing white uniforms and masks, walking around campus, but they aren’t medical students—they are spraying to prevent the spreading of pine beetles.

Driving on the interstate, people have begun to notice the dark, pine covered mountains have slowly turned from green to red in many areas, a sign of death and infection.  

Pine beetles are causing the forest decay. 

But it’s no longer just an isolated issue. Within the last few years, pine beetles have migrated from the forest to the city and residents and business owners need to take preventative measures to protect their trees.

“The University of Wyoming is aware of the dangers that pine beetles can cause to the foliage on campus,” UW Deputy Director of Facility Services Mike Milam said. 

“The University of Wyoming has subcontracted companies to spray the trees on campus for the last three years to prevent pine beetle infestation,” he added. 

Milam said the university has requested bids every year to select the company best suited for their needs to protect the trees.  

It is recommended trees are sprayed once a year, usually between the months of April and July, to ensure pine beetle eggs do not hatch and take over the tree, therefore destroying the tree.  

Milam said pine beetles prefer spruce trees, but they will eat other species of pine when food sources become short.  

The adult mountain pine beetle ranges from 1/8 to 1/3 of an inch and can cause thorough destruction to a forest.

Due to the number of falling dead trees in forests, the USDA recently issued a warning declaring dead pine trees dangerous as they can fall without warning. 

Milam’s advice to residents wanting to protect their trees is to contact any local tree company, as they would know how to protect the trees from infection. Spraying has been very successful. 

The university has not lost many trees at all, Milam added. 

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