Apply Dormant Oils to Your Trees for Pest Protection

Learn how to apply dormant oils your trees so that you can better prevent overwintering pests from harming your trees come spring and summer.

Noblesville Tree Service 317-537-9770

Noblesville Tree Service 317-537-9770


Pests can hibernate within trees through the winter season, and emerge as larvae once spring arrives. This means you cannot assume that your tree pest problems are cleared just because summer is over. It is important to remain active against tree disease and pest infestation all year long. Fortunately, using dormant oils, also known as horticulture oils, is an excellent method for this type of preventative maintenance. Continue reading to learn more about the use of dormant oils for tree protection, and how to maximize their effectiveness.

How Do Horticulture Oils Work?

Horticulture oils are widely available and inexpensive. You can find them at any local gardening or landscaping store, as well as, many home improvement stores, tractor supply stores, nurseries, and online retailers. The oil works because it coats the spiracles of insects, which basically smothers future larvae. And since these oils are organic, they are non-toxic to the tree and other wildlife, such as birds, squirrels, chipmunks, and more. They are also not harmful to beneficial insects, like lady bugs and butterflies. You can even apply dormant oils to your shrubs. All you need is a cloth or large paint brush. Simply dip and apply a generous coat to your tree’s bark. You can even mix some oil with water in a plastic bottle and spray the solution onto the leaves for added protection.

Here are some tips that will help get the most from their use:

Get Your Timing Right. Timing is important when it comes to using horticulture oils. They should only be applied when a tree has fully entered dormancy, hence the name, “dormant” oils, and before it has begun to sprout new growth. That is why early winter and late spring are the best times to apply dormant oils. Ideal temperatures should be between 40 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Combine Treatments Strategically. If you have other pesticide and insecticide treatment plans in place, be sure you organize your application agendas accordingly. It is important to space out your applications of these treatments from your oil applications because combining the two could create an adverse reaction for the tree. Thirty days is a good time frame to be safe.

Read the Label. There are several types of dormant oils to choose from, and they are not all the same, so it is important to pay attention to the labels before making any purchases. Look for a low-viscosity oil. These will be easier to work with and spread onto the bark. Also be sure that the oil you buy is blatantly marked as dormant oil. Furthermore, be sure the dormant oil is the right type for the species of tree you intend to use it on. Some oils are not formulated for certain tree species.

Follow Instructions. While you are reading your labels, be sure to concentrate on the instructions. Read the instructions thoroughly before making any applications to your trees. Not only will this make the process easier for you, it will make it safer and more effective too.

Noblesville Tree Service

Tree Service Noblesville 317-537-9770

Tree Service Noblesville 317-537-9770

Call 317-537-9770 for professional tree service in Noblesville, Indiana. We offer a wide range of professional tree services for residential and commercial properties. Ask us about our competitive pricing and our tree service coupons! Call 317-537-9770 to request a free estimate for Noblesville tree service, today.

Household Plants that Can Improve Indoor Air Quality

Noblesville Tree Service 317-537-9770

Noblesville Tree Service 317-537-9770

Indoor air quality needs to be a top priority for anyone who owns a home. Without regard to this issue, a person can expect to have issues with allergies, respiratory complications or distress, dirty duct work, low-performing appliances, wasted energy consumption, higher utility bills, and of course stress from all of this! Healthy indoor air environments are important for our health, comfort, and quality of life. There is so much a family can do to improve their indoor air, like not smoking indoors and cleaning the HVAC system regularly. But one interesting and creative method to enhancing the quality of air in a home is by using everyday plants! Continue reading to learn which plants work best for this purpose!

Plants for Healthier Indoor Environments

Certain plants have the ability to provide support in the elimination of certain airborne pollutants like carbon monoxide, Formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, benzene, and more. Aside from household flora and greenery, there are more concrete methods to air purification. Simply contact your local HVAC service company for information about services, prices, and availability. Here is a list of many household plants that can provide this benefit:

English Ivy

Not only timeless and beautiful, English Ivy (Hedera Helix) retains natural abilities to help rid an indoor air environment of unwanted contaminants. It can survive for many years, even in the shade, if properly cared for.

Corn Plant

Also called Mass Cane or Massangeana, Corn Plants are great options for household plants and have been proven to help eliminate the dangerous airborne chemical pollutant, Formaldehyde. They thrive just fine in either shade or little light, and can last for years with proper routine care.

Bamboo Palm

Also called the Reed Palm, and scientifically referred to as Chamaedorea Seifrizii, this plant looks like a tropical fern, making it a fun and exotic addition to your home. It is a great house plant because it can thrive in minimal sunlight and even shade. It particularly assists in the removal of airborne traces of Formaldehyde and benzene.

Chinese Evergreen

The scientific name for the Chinese Evergreen is Aglaonema Modestum. Like many other plants listed, it is also a great choice for house plants because it can survive in medium to low sunlight. It retains qualities that help eliminate airborne chemical pollutants, but it is not recommended with homes with pets, particularly cats and dogs. This is because it contains an irritant that can hazardous or toxic for them.

Noblesville Tree Service

Tree Service Noblesville 317-537-9770

Tree Service Noblesville 317-537-9770

Call 317-537-9770 when you need professional tree service in Noblesville, Indiana. We are highly trained and experienced tree care technicians that offer a wide range of residential and commercial tree services at the most competitive prices in town. Whether you need routine tree service or major tree work, we are the professionals to trust for outstanding results in a convenient time frame.