Pine Beetle Control: Treatment & Prevention in Colorado Springs

Mountain pine beetles (also called bark beetles or pine beetles) are killing Front Range ponderosa pines at an accelerating rate. A 2026 Colorado State Forest Service report found that beetle damage to Front Range ponderosa pine climbed nearly 150% between 2024 and 2025. At Affordable Tree & Shrub Experts, we provide pine beetle control services for homeowners across Colorado Springs, El Paso County, and Teller County, backed by inspection, treatment, and preventive care from our ISA Certified Arborists.

Signs of Bark Beetle Infestation

Mountain pine beetles work under the bark, so early signs are easy to miss. Watch for:

Pitch tubes — small, popcorn-like masses of resin on the trunk where beetles have bored in
Boring dust — fine, sawdust-like material collecting in bark crevices or at the base of the tree
Needle discoloration — needles turning yellow, red, or brown, typically starting in the upper crown

If you’re seeing any of these signs, the tree needs a professional assessment quickly — infestations spread fast once bark beetles are established.

How to Get Rid of Bark Beetles

Inspection & Diagnosis — An ISA Certified Arborist examines your trees for early signs of infestation and performs an overall tree health assessment.
Tailored Treatment Plan — Based on what we find, we recommend the right combination of pine beetle treatment, pruning, or removal for your specific trees.
Preventive Mountain Pine Beetle Spray — For healthy, uninfested trees that are at risk, we apply preventive tree spraying timed to beetle flight season in spring when treatment is most effective.
Removal When Necessary — Once a tree shows widespread red or brown needles, the infestation is usually too advanced to reverse. Tree removal services are available to prevent spread to nearby healthy vegetation.

Pine Beetle Prevention Tips for Colorado Springs Homeowners

Colorado’s warm, dry winters have weakened many pines’ natural defenses against beetles. You can help with mountain pine beetle prevention by:

Watering during dry winter months — stressed, under-watered trees are far more vulnerable to attack
Avoiding unnecessary wounds — mower damage and improper pruning cuts create entry points
Never moving firewood — beetles spread between properties in infested wood
Scheduling annual inspections — catching an early-stage infestation is the difference between a treatable tree and a removal

Serving Colorado Springs & the Front Range

We provide bark beetle inspection, treatment, and prevention throughout Colorado Springs, Monument, Palmer Lake, Larkspur, Falcon, Peyton, Pueblo, Cripple Creek, Fountain, Woodland Park, and Black Forest.

FAQs

Q: What's causing the bark beetle outbreak in Colorado Springs right now?

A: Warm, dry winters have weakened many pines’ natural defenses while allowing more beetle larvae to survive the cold season, leading to a sharp rise in Front Range ponderosa pine damage in 2025.

Q: What's the best insecticide for pine beetles?

A: No single product works for every situation. Effectiveness depends on correct timing (treatment is most effective before beetle flight season begins in spring) and proper application by a trained professional. An ISA Certified Arborist can recommend the right treatment for your specific trees based on inspection findings.

Q: Can a tree with bark beetles be saved?

A: Early-stage infestations can sometimes be treated with preventive bark and trunk treatments. Once a tree shows widespread red or brown needles, the infestation is usually too advanced, and removal is the safest option to protect nearby trees.

Q: When should I have my pines treated for mountain pine beetles?

A: Preventive treatment is most effective before beetle flight season begins in spring. Annual inspection is the best way to catch a problem early.

FREE ESTIMATES!

All estimates performed by an ISA Certified Arborist