Officials in the area are asking people to keep an eye out for possible mountain pine beetle infestations. 

The insects are known to take down large portions of lodgepole pine forests by infecting the trees and killing them from the inside out. 

Justin Babcock, Manager of Agriculture Services for Ponoka County, said they are seeing trees in the area that were likely infected last year, and it’s time to inspect trees now to prevent damage next year. 

Babcock said Clearwater County and Westaskawin County have both found beetles in their regions over the last few years, and it’s a natural progression for the beetles to be moving through other parts of Central Alberta. 

“The adults come and burrow into the bark of the pine trees to lay eggs, but as they do that, they kill the trees if there is a severe enough infestation. We’re seeing trees dying because of the infections, so we want to stop that as much as we can,” he said. 

Babcock recommends people take note of browning trees on their land, or even as they are out walking through parks or forests. He said these trees are a good indication there could be mountain pine beetles in the area. 

“When you’re looking for recent infection, you’re going to be looking for pitch tubes - trees putting out pitch to try and fight off the pine beetles that are infecting them. As well, you can sometimes see wood shavings on the ground where they’ve burrowed in,” he said. 

“Those are the things you want to look for on trees that aren’t showing signs like browning or anything yet.”

If you suspect you may have an infestation, contact the Ponoka County Ag Services office for verification. This can help minimize the spread of the insects and save trees in the region.