An unusual phenomenon is happening around the Kansas City Metro area. Spring flowering trees such as Magnolia, Bradford Pears and Cherry trees are starting to bloom again!  This summer's drought caused many trees to go dormant in an effort to protect themselves. However, the recent cooler weather has triggered many trees to re-flower. A fall budding will not harm the tree, however, it can reduce spring blooms and deplete vital nutrients the tree needs to survive the winter and re-bud in the spring. A deep root fertilization will not only nourish your trees but give them added protection against disease and insects in the spring.  

Plants, trees and lawns go dormant when the weather turns cold.   Unfortunately, most insects do not. While many insects may hibernate over winter, insects such as, millipedes, centipedes, cockroaches, crickets, spiders, silver fish, earwigs and carpenter ants will seek warmer places, such as your trees and house to spend the cold winter months.

It is a misconception that carpenter ants will eat wood. Carpenter ants will seek out moist or damp wood and create burrowing tunnels within the wood so that they can lay their eggs. The saw dust they leave behind is a result of their tunneling. Left untreated, carpenter ants can endanger the structural integrity of your trees.  

Not all outdoor insects will cause damage to your trees and home. Others such as centipedes and certain varieties of spiders can bite, causing painful swelling and in severe cases, flu-like symptoms. While insects such as cockroaches, crickets, silver fish and earwigs will not cause harm to your home, they are an unwanted and unnerving nuisance. 

A perimeter pest control application will stop the winter insect invasion. Let the experts at Arbor Masters® in Kansas City protect your home against insects. Contact us today for your perimeter pest control evaluation.