Winter Pest Watch: Insects and Diseases That Survive Michigan Winters

While most of us are huddled inside by the fireplace, some of Michigan’s uninvited guests are doing the exact same thing—just in your backyard. It’s a common myth that a "polar vortex" kills off all the bugs and diseases. In reality, many pests have spent millions of years perfecting their winter survival skills.

At Safari Tree, we know that what happens in February often dictates how green your June will be. Here is a look at the "hidden" pests and diseases currently overwintering on your property.

The Winter Survivors: Insects in Hiding

Most insects don't just disappear; they go into a state called diapause (basically bug hibernation). They tuck themselves into the cracks of bark or just under the soil line.

• Scale Insects: These tiny pests look like small bumps on your tree’s twigs rather than actual bugs. They hunker down under a waxy, protective "shell" that shields them from the wind and snow. Once spring hits, they wake up and start sucking the life out of your trees' branches.
  
  

• Emerald Ash Borer & Other Borers: These are the ultimate "indoor" pests. The larvae spend the winter tucked deep inside the wood of your trees, feeding on the inner bark where it’s significantly warmer. By the time you see the exit holes in the spring, the damage is already done.
  
  

• Mite & Aphid Eggs: Many species leave behind thousands of microscopic eggs on the tips of your branches. They are perfectly timed to hatch the exact moment your trees start to produce tender new leaves.

Dormant But Dangerous: Winter Diseases

Fungus doesn't need leaves to survive. In fact, many of the most common Michigan tree diseases are currently "sleeping" right on the bark or in the fallen leaves at the base of your trees.

• Anthracnose & Leaf Spot: These spores stay dormant in the buds and twig cankers. When the spring rains arrive, they "wake up" and splash onto the new growth, causing those tattered, brown leaves we see in May.
• Apple Scab: This fungus survives the winter in the fallen leaves under your trees. If those leaves aren't cleared or treated, the spores will reinfect your crabapples and fruit trees as soon as the humidity rises.

Why "Dormant Treatments" Are Your Best Defense

The best time to stop an invasion is before it starts. This is why we focus on dormant oil treatments and preventative sprays in late winter and early spring.

By applying treatments now, we can "smother" overwintering insects and their eggs before they hatch. It’s a proactive way to lower the "pest pressure" on your landscape without having to use heavy-duty sprays later in the summer when your family is out enjoying the yard.

Don't let your trees fight these hidden battles alone. Our experts are currently out across SE Michigan identifying these "sleepers" before they cause real damage.

Protect your landscape with a free winter health evaluation! 👉 Click Here to Request Your Free Quote 📞Or Call Us Directly at 844-500-8733