Douglas fir bark beetle activity tends to pick up as summer stress catches up with weakened trees, and early fall is when Snohomish County homeowners start noticing the signs: small round exit holes in the bark and reddish-brown boring dust collecting at the base.
Beetles target trees that are already stressed from drought, root damage, or crowding, which means a single affected tree can be a signal that others nearby are vulnerable too.
Once beetle activity is confirmed, fast removal of the affected tree is usually the right call to protect the rest of the stand. Waiting gives the infestation more time to spread to healthy trees close by.
Have you noticed small holes or reddish dust on the bark of any conifers on your property?
#SnohomishCountyWA #TreeHealth
Authentic close-up photo of bark beetle exit holes or boring dust on a Douglas fir trunk, or a crew assessing a conifer for infestation.
Canva text suggestion: "Small holes, big warning sign" or "Bark beetles are active right now"