The Case for Spraying
Preventive spraying of select, choice, trophy, and/or "pet" trees is a recognized part of any plan for the control of the Mountain Pine Beetle through the implementation of an Integrated Pest Management program. This program consists of three parts; removing infested trees, thinning trees for forest health, and spraying select trees. The Colorado State Forest Service advocates the combination of all three measures.

Spraying by a licensed professional contractor is generally more than 90% effective in protecting non-infested trees from pine beetle attacks. Spraying will not save trees that are already infested. Spraying is recommended for a few important trees on a property, not all the trees. One full-strength spray application in the springtime and prior to the beetle's flight season consisting of 5 quarts of insecticide mixed with 100 gallons of water should be adequate to deter Mountain Pine Beetle, IPS Beetle, and Turpentine Beetle attacks. Spraying must be done annually for as long as the epidemic continues. For more information please read the preventive spraying document below.