Summer brings lush growth and vibrant color to your yard, but it also brings insect pests and plant diseases that can damage or kill your trees and shrubs. Warm, humid weather creates ideal conditions for these problems to thrive—and once they take hold, they can spread quickly.
At Tim Andrews Horticulturist LLC, we specialize in diagnosing and treating these threats to keep your landscape healthy. Here’s what you should be watching for this summer:
1. Japanese Beetles
What They Do: These metallic green-and-copper beetles chew through leaves, leaving them skeletonized. Favorites include roses, lindens, birches, and many garden plants.
Signs: Irregular holes in leaves and large numbers of beetles feeding in clusters.
Our Solution: We provide treatments to protect high-value plants and reduce beetle populations for the rest of the season.
2. Asian Lady Beetles
What They Do: While often mistaken for helpful ladybugs, these beetles can bite and invade homes as temperatures cool in fall. In summer, they cluster on plants and outdoor surfaces.
Signs: Orange or red beetles with black spots gathering in groups.
Our Solution: We offer preventive treatments to keep them under control.
3. Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)
What They Do: This invasive pest kills ash trees by tunneling under the bark, cutting off water and nutrient flow. Infested trees often die within 2–4 years.
Signs: Thinning canopy, bark splitting, D-shaped exit holes, and woodpecker damage.
Our Solution: Preventive trunk injections are the most effective defense—timing matters, so act before infestation reaches advanced stages.
4. Scale Insects
What They Do: Scale insects attach to stems and leaves, sucking sap and weakening plants over time.
Signs: Bumps on branches, sticky honeydew, and black sooty mold.
Our Solution: We apply treatments at critical points in their life cycle and provide ongoing monitoring for long-term control.
5. Aphids & Other Sap-Suckers
What They Do: Aphids cluster on tender new growth, curling leaves and spreading disease.
Signs: Distorted leaves and sticky residue attracting ants.
Our Solution: We apply safe, effective treatments and help restore healthy plant growth.
Summer Diseases to Watch For
High heat and humidity also fuel fungal diseases that weaken plants and reduce their vigor:
- Powdery Mildew: White, powdery coating on lilacs, phlox, and many ornamentals.
- Leaf Spots: Black or brown spots on tree and shrub leaves.
- Apple Scab: Affects crabapples, causing spots and early leaf drop.
- Oak Wilt (Active Now): A deadly fungal disease killing oaks in weeks. Signs include sudden leaf wilting, bronzing, and early drop, often starting at the top of the canopy.
Our Solution: We offer diagnosis, pruning, and treatment options for fungal issues. For Oak Wilt, immediate action is essential to stop spread—do not prune oaks during summer unless it’s an emergency, and seal all wounds to prevent infection.
Poison Ivy “Witch Hunt” – At Its Peak Now
Poison ivy thrives in summer and can quickly spread through landscapes, fence lines, and wooded edges. Even a light brush against the plant can cause severe skin reactions.
Our Solution: We offer complete poison ivy removal services to eliminate this dangerous weed from your property—safely and effectively—so you can enjoy your yard without the risk.
Why Quick Action Matters
These pests and diseases can spread rapidly in summer. Early detection and timely treatment save trees, protect your investment, and prevent future issues.
At Tim Andrews Horticulturist LLC, we:
✔ Accurately diagnose insect and disease problems.
✔ Provide customized treatment and prevention plans.
✔ Offer proactive monitoring to keep your landscape healthy year-round.
Don’t let pests, diseases, or poison ivy ruin your summer. Contact us today for a professional inspection, treatment, and removal plan.
Tim Andrews Horticulturist LLC
Caring for Your Green World—One Yard, One Tree, One Project at a Time.
Photo Credit: Ohio State University.