Does Tree Pruning Help to Keep Pests Away?
by Julius Manninen
Tree pruning is useful for keeping your trees looking good. Pruning also helps trees to focus on the growth of their strongest and healthiest branches too, for optimal health. And pruning keeps pests away from your trees too. By selectively removing branches throughout your tree, you can keep the number of pests in your tree and around your home to a minimum.
Tree pruning keeps pests away for several reasons.
Gives pests fewer places to hide and nest
A large tree that has a huge canopy is an inviting proposition for many kinds of pests, such as carpenter ants, birds, roof rats and possums. And even if these pests don't nest in a large tree, they may still use that tree when they want to hide from you.
By keeping your trees well pruned, you deprive pests of the ability to nest or hide within your tree's branches.
Deprives pests of shelter from harsh weather
Insect pests tend to burrow underground during heavy rain, and ants often head indoors. But some of the bigger pests, like possums and rats, will happily use your large tree to shelter from the rain. If your tree continually attracts pests during heavy rainfall, your home could soon be next.
Keeps pests from reaching your home
When pests live near an occupied building, where there is food and warmth, inevitably, they will attempt to get inside that building. A tree's canopy can provide pests with multiple sheltered bridges. While hidden from view, pests can traverse tree branches and make their way into your home.
Pruning the tree branches that are within touching distance of your home will ensure that pests have less opportunity to reach the walls and roof of your home.
Removes the dead and dying branches that pests love
Some of the worst pests in Australia love rotting wood. Termites and carpenter ants will happily build a nest in your tree if there is sufficient dead wood available. For termites, dead wood serves as shelter and food. For carpenter ants, dead wood provides shelter. But both of these insect pests will move from your tree to your home if their colony expands or they begin to run out of food.
Pruning removes dead branches, improving the appearance of your tree, and its ability to keep pests at bay. Prune your tree today with the help of a tree service, and pests will show less interest in both your tree and your home.
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About Me
Welcome to my blog. My name is Emilie. When I turned thirty, I received the most thoughtful gift from my mum: a tropical tree in a pot. I loved it. I would have never imagined buying something like that, but it lit up my home, and it produced yummy fruit. After having such a positive experience with a potted tree, I decided to invest in a few more. Through the years, I have learned how to take care of potted trees, how to plant them outside and how to ensure they are getting the light they need inside. If you want to buy a tree in a pot or if you already have one, explore these posts. They will guide you toward great tree care.