Questions and answers about verbenone

1. If I put up verbenone where do the beetles go?

The beetles generally avoid the site where the verbenone has been placed. This has been shown by reduced catches in passive traps placed in verbenone treated stands. Apparently beetles that enter a treated stand keep on moving until they exit the treatment area. This is also why we recommend that the verbenone be placed in a grid pattern at 10 – 15 m (30 - 45 ft) centers throughout the stand not just at the edge.


2. Do we have a minimum lot size below which we would not recommend verbenone?

We suggest verbenone for lot sizes of a ½ hectare (1 acre) or more or a combination of adjacent properties totaling ½ hectare (1 acre) or more. We would also only recommend lots where there are trees at least every 10 – 15 m (30 – 45 ft). Lower density can lead to greater attack.


3. Would verbenone be effective on lots of ½ - 2 hectares (1 – 3 acres) where the homeowner has removed all infested trees, but the neighbors may or may not have removed infested trees?

Verbenone alone would be effective, but there may be an edge effect due to wind. In this case we would recommend two border strips around the perimeter of the property at 10 m (30 ft) spacing, and 15 m (45 ft) spacing in a grid pattern in the interior of the property.


4. If the neighbors refuse to remove infested trees on lots of ½ - 2 hectares (1 – 3 acres) would spraying the homeowner’s trees and placing verbenone around the perimeter be more effective than just spraying and no verbenone?

In such a situation, we feel that spraying Sevin plus verbenone would be preferable to either treatment alone. Without verbenone, some emerging beetles in such close proximity to the treated area may be inclined to attack nearby trees at high enough density to overcome the insecticide. The verbenone will ensure these beetles will move on.

5.

SCIENTIFIC PROOF THAT VERBENONE WORKS:

LAC LEJEUNE (old Verbenone pouch) - use password V33N5A03
NEW VERBENONE POUCH FIELD EXPERIMENT