Attach BeetleBlock™ MCH ‘bubbles’ and BeetleBlock™ Verbenone ‘pouches’ to the north side of the tree as high as you can reach. Use a sturdy stapler or small nail. They can be attached with either side of the device facing out. Both bubbles and pouches have been designed specifically to last as long as the beetle flight and do not need to be replaced half way through the season. We recommend that you purchase the correct amount of BeetleBlock™ depending on the size of the area you are trying to protect and the number of trees. The effective radius of the BeetleBlock™ producs plume is approximately 15 feet (4.5 meters).
Use a stapler, tack or small nail to attach to tree. DO NOT PUNCTURE RESERVOIR, as this will lead to the product evaporating prematurely.
Beetles can only sense the volatile pheromone from down wind of the pheromone source. When considering the product placement, try to make use of prevailing winds and any other landscape features to your advantage.
It is always recommended before applying BeetleBlock products that you remove beetle-infested trees first! It is important to apply BeetleBlock™ products prior to the beetle flight. When the weather is just right, (usually in April for Douglas-fir beetle, and the beginning of July for the Pine beetle) beetles that have been maturing over the winter months will bore their way out of the tree and take flight to start the cycle over again. One female can lay between 40-70 eggs which will hatch and emerge from the tree. Higher elevations may see a later flight than lower elevations due to the temperature differences. Beetles require several days (and nights) of relatively warm weather before they will fly. Contact your local Forester or any Forest Service office in your area for estimated flight times.
How much BeetleBlock should I use?
Single tree protection will require 2-4 pouches or bubbles per tree for optimal protection. Pine beetles prefer large trees, and trees with a diameter of 24” (0.61M) or larger at breast height may require as many as 4 pouches/bubbles per tree. It is difficult to have successful single tree protection in a large, beetle infested stand. This application is best for small residential type lots with only a few host trees.
Small area (1/2 acre or less) Apply BeetleBlock™ in a perimeter around the trees, with a few in the middle. In this fashion, you are creating a “fence” of BeetleBlock ™. Apply 20-25 feet (6-7 m) apart. Remember, you do not need to place BeetleBlock™ directly on the tree. If you do not have a pine or fir tree conveniently spaced every 20 feet, you can apply BeetleBlock™ to any other tree, a post hammered into the ground or even a building.
Area-wide protection is the most economical method. Areas 1/2 acre or larger can be protected by placing BeetleBlock™ products in a grid fashion, spacing the product every 20-25 feet (6-7 m). Remember, you do not need to place BeetleBlock™ directly on the tree. If you do not have a pine or fir tree conveniently spaced every 20 feet, you can apply BeetleBlock™ to any other tree, a post hammered into the ground or even a building. You are trying to create an invisible blanket of BeetleBlock™ pheromone that surrounds and permeates the wooded area. Use approximately 30-40 BeetleBlock™ per acre (50-100 per Hectare) applied in this fashion.
Contact your local Forester or any Forest Service office in your area for estimated flight times.
Rule of Thumb
BeetleBlock™ Verbenone should be applied last two weeks of June, no later than the first week in July
BeetleBlock™ MCH should be applied in April and no later than the beginning of May.
Good to Know: MCH bubbles may be applied much earlier when the snow is still on the ground. Bubbles will not release much in the cold. Travel throughout woodlands can be easier at this time than later in the spring when forested areas can become quite wet and muddy.
Useful tip: If you plan on using MCH next year, or if you have used it last year, clip the corner of the pouch so you can tell the fresh ones from the old ones (be careful not to puncture the reservoir).
Good to Know: It does not matter which side of the bubble or patch faces the tree.
Place nail or staple in colored part of pouch
Place nail or staple above the ‘bubble’
Synergy Semiochemicals Corp 604-454-1122 synergy@semiochemical.com
How do I Use BeetleBlock™ products?
Do not puncture white membrane, place nail at top of pouch in colored are
Do not puncture center bubble, place nail at top bubble cap
