Your trees and shrubs are focal points, but plant insects threaten their health and beauty. Four insects that commonly infest plants in Tennessee include aphids, spider mites, crape myrtle bark scale, and bagworms. Aphids are small pests that suck out sap from leaves and stems, while spider mites feed on the cell contents of leaves. Meanwhile, crape myrtle bark scales feed on the sap of crape myrtle trees, attaching themselves to the underside of branches and secreting honeydew that causes the development of black sooty mold. Finally, bagworms are caterpillars that create protective bags around themselves and feed on the foliage of your trees and shrubs.

1. Aphids

Aphids are the first insect you'll want to watch out for on your trees and shrubs in Tennessee. They're small insects with a soft, pear-shaped body. They can also be different colors, such as green, black, gray, and brown, and have piercing mouthparts that allow them to extract plant juices from the leaves and stems of your trees and shrubs. When the infestation is severe, aphids can cause the foliage to turn yellow, stunt growth, and produce honeydew, leading to the development of black sooty mold.

2. Spider Mites

Spider mites on a plant in Gallatin, TN.

Another pest that commonly infests trees and shrubs in Tennessee is spider mites. Spider mites are part of the arachnid family and are so tiny that you'll need a magnifying lens to see them. They typically establish on the underside of leaves, spinning webs that detract from the curb appeal of your plants. These pests suck out the cell contents from the leaves with their piercing mouthparts, first causing tiny white or yellow spots. Eventually, they turn bronze or yellow before falling off. Severe spider mite infestations can cause extensive discoloration on your trees and shrubs, stunt their growth, and even lead to their death!

3. Crape Myrtle Bark Scale

Crape myrtle bark scale is a particular type of insect that primarily infests crape myrtle trees. They have white or gray circular bodies and attach themselves to the underside of branches. These invasive pests feed on the sap and produce an abundance of honeydew, causing black sooty mold growth; this fungal disease results in a black coating on the leaves that prevents them from performing photosynthesis. Extensive crape myrtle bark scale infestations can lead to defoliation, stunted growth, branch dieback, and even the death of the entire tree.

The honeydew that crape myrtle bark scales produce attracts other pests to your trees, such as ants, flies, and wasps.

4. Bagworms

Bagworms in Gallatin, TN, on a tree branch.

Bagworms are the last insect you'll want to watch out for on your trees and shrubs in Tennessee. These caterpillars are the larvae of moths that got their name because of the bags of silk and plant material they create around themselves. They feed on the foliage of your trees and shrubs, leading to extensive defoliation if left to their own devices. As the infestation worsens, bagworms can cause them to die.

Call us today to sign up for our effective tree and shrub insect control service!

If you want to protect your trees and shrubs from devastating insect infestations, we are here to help! At Performance Lawns Inc., we offer our tree and shrub insect control service, which includes multiple visits throughout the year to apply highly effective treatments that protect your plants from damage-causing pests like aphids, spider mites, crape myrtle bark scale, and bagworms. Not only that, but this service also comes with disease control and fertilization treatments to prevent fungal infections and supply them with the nutrients they need to thrive! We proudly serve residential and commercial properties in Gallatin, TN, and surrounding areas, such as Hendersonville and Lebanon. Call us today at (615) 708-5549 to sign up for our top-notch tree and shrub insect control service.