How to Kill an Elm Leaf Beetle

June 15th, 2009 Posted in Beetles & Ladybugs, Ornamental & Lawn Pests



As the name suggests, these critters feed on the leaves of Elm trees. And when you get a group of them together, there’s no telling how much they can eat. Where we see a beautiful product of nature, they see signs for an all you can eat buffet. If enough of them unite, the tree can see its last days.



This article will let you know how to:

  • Identify Elm Leaf Beetles

  • Control Elm Leaf Beetles

  • Kill Elm Leaf Beetles

Identification

Elm-Leaf Beetles don’t just stick to the trees – these pests can make their way into your home as well. However, while indoors, they do not reproduce, nor feed. But they do seek shelter from the cold winter months, and you can find them in your nooks and crannies as they become more active in late winter and early spring. Other than the home, they shield themselves from the cold in woodpiles, tree bark crevices and debris at the base of trees.

In both the larval and adult stages, the Elm-Leaf Beetles feed on the leaves of trees. Larvae are often green and yellow with a black head and stripes. As in other pests, you’ll find holes in the leaves of the Elm tree as well as, during mating season, find clumps or rows of tiny yellow eggs on the undersides of the leaves.

In the larval stage, after they have stuffed themselves on leaves, the larvae will stop eating and molt, entering the pupation stage which involves travelling to the base of the tree for a period of two weeks.

Pupae are easily identified as bright orange spots on the bottom of the Elm.

They adults are usually 1/4 inch long and have elongated oval bodies. When they are young, they appear yellow, but eventually change to an olive green mature adult. Often this green is accompanied by a black stripe running down the length of their wings and four black dots on the thorax.


Elm-Leaf Beetles are not to be confused with Elm-Bark Beetles which are known to cause Dutch-Elm Disease.

Techniques for Control

    Imidacloprid – a neuro-active insecticide modeled after nicotine. It is a type of Systemic Insecticide, which means it is absorbed into the root system of the tree and carried through the sap stream. It diffuses in the plant via xylem, which transports water throughout the plant. This method heavily relies on insects ingesting the insecticide – which, if not used properly with close monitoring, will not effect the beetle at all.

    Trunk Banding – Literally bands the trunk of the tree with a layer of insecticide just before the larvae begin to crawl to the base of the tree in search of a pupation location. Although the times vary, this usually occurs mid-June. It seems easy, and uses less pesticide. But the downfall of banding? It has no effect on the first generation larvae, who have completed the pupation stage – and they are the ones breeding!

    Seal Cracks – Watch your calendar. Know when the beetles become active and make sure your home is prepared.

**Whatever your method, DON’T grab the can of harmful pesticide FIRST! Sure, it may work. But the ingredients often include carbaryl and cyfluthrin, two chemical compounds that are proven to cause not only short term, but long term side effects in humans.

How to Kill Elm Leaf Beetles

It’s simple. USE EcoSMART natural pesticide. It won’t harm the environment or your family.

There is also no pesticidal residue like in the Trunk Banding technique.

Just aim and spray – and the beetles won’t know what hit them.


Alyse Popp




organic pest control


  1. 26 Comments | The First 1,000 to Comment (Starting 12/21/2009) Will Become EcoSMART Product Testers!

  2. By Laura Flores on Jun 16, 2009

    This was very helpful, my trees look aweful, cant wait to try this advice. Thanks

  3. By coette on Jul 12, 2009

    I have several elm trees, most popular here in Amarillo Texas and my trees look terrible with leaves falling off every day.

  4. By Michele on Jul 14, 2009

    I went into my backyard today and looked up. My elm looks aweful, all the leaves look like lace and it is covered in caterpillars. I am just north of Amarillo in Dumas Tx. I am looking for natural ways to get rid of them. This looks good.

  5. By Brooke Kelley on Jul 15, 2009

    These beetles are killing our trees. I don’t know if it is too late to treat them. We live in Reno, NV and have 5 mature trees on our property. Even if we treat our trees I am afraid that our neighbors untreated trees are going to re-infect ours!!! We have small children and pets and want something non-toxic to everything but these beetles!!!

  6. By Nancy Sullivan on Jul 20, 2009

    I live in Lubbock Texas and have 10 elms and are having trouble with beetles. Need help!

  7. By Joni on Jul 20, 2009

    I have several trees on my property near Lake McConaughy in Nebraska and they went from looking great last year to sad and sick this year. I am hoping this product will do the trick without taking years off my own life like other insecticides might.

  8. By Greg Lusk on Jul 20, 2009

    We are attempting to provide and organically sound environment at them Amarillo Botanical Gardens and are having a difficult time with Elm Leaf Beetles. We are intersted in trying your product. And using it educationally.

    Horticulturist/Project Manager
    Greg Lusk

  9. By Greg Lusk on Jul 20, 2009

    please correct my mistakes, i should have proof read

  10. By Jim McDaniel on Jul 26, 2009

    While looking for a systemic insecticide to try to control the elm leaf beetles in our elm trees,I came upon this site. I would much prefer an organic product, however, I’m not sure if this product would work for our larger trees.

  11. By Robert Cloud on Jul 27, 2009

    I have been infested in Lubbock Texas with these terrible insects and had no idea how to get rid of them. We can’t go outside without these bugs getting on us and they are destroying my trees. This info was very helpful. Would be very interested in testing this product.

  12. By nancy on Aug 7, 2009

    I rent & this little old house has ways for the bug to get into the house. Too many to tell! My dog eats them when I swat them off the walls. I need a safe way to get rid of them that won’t hurt my dog.

  13. By Thomas on Aug 10, 2009

    One Elm with these beetles.

  14. By Sue Erickson on Aug 13, 2009

    I live in Reno NV and have a beautiful Elm Tree or I thought I did until 2 weeks ago now the leaves are almost all white because of all the tiny holes in them. Help!!!! And those bugs!!!! Need something that will not hurt the garden plants underneight the tree!!

  15. By Austin on Aug 14, 2009

    I have two new Elms and they have already become a breading ground for these pests. I have a new puppy and dont want anything harmfull to him and hope your product works.

  16. By Carman on Sep 5, 2009

    I am trying to find what kind of beetle it is that has inundated my house and trees. It is black with red stripes. We have this old house with old trees. These beetles hang out on the sides of the house and are all over a couple of the old trees as well as on everything nearby. There are millions of baby bugs and they seem to reproduce rather quickly. HELP!

  17. By Nicole on Sep 28, 2009

    Our county extension agent confirmed that we have elm leaf beetles. We are looking for a safe product to help our trees flourish again! Thanks!!

  18. By Neil Carpenter on Oct 4, 2009

    We moved into our current house in May, and our 9 elms were already infested. I only found out recently about the elm beetles, but I’m afraid we’re going to lose 2 of our trees because they’re in pretty bad shape. I’m glad to see there are several remedies available.
    Thanks for all the information!

  19. By suek kranski on Oct 7, 2009

    we moved into our house in may and we have 2 trees that are infested. I am looking forword to trying your product to get rid of the elm bettles. They are hiding in our siding on the garage and in behine the shudders on the house

  20. By dave trinkle on Jan 30, 2010

    I am ISA certified, and would like more information about this product. I serve N.KY and am looking into organic solutions to provide my customers an alternative to removal/destruction of their elms. I have aprox. 35 acres of standing forrest I would like to save…any help would be greatly received.
    ISA #0715-A

  21. By EcoSMART Kara on Feb 1, 2010

    Hi, Dave,

    For a project of that magnitude, I suggest contacting one of EcoSMART’s Commercial/Agricultural Partners here:

    http://www.ecosmart.com/about/partners

    Thanks for your interest!

  22. By Jillayne on Mar 11, 2010

    We have 3 very large, very old elm trees that were hugely infested last year with elm beetles. I don’t want to resort to using harmful pesticides, and I am not willing to loose my trees! I saw my first Elm beetle in the house today, and haven’t seen any outside yet. I want to get rid of the pests before my beautiful old elms suffer too much infestation and die. Last year every leaf was eaten. No one around here knew what I could use that was organic or natural. Please help!

  23. By lisa on Jul 12, 2010

    My elm tree is losing leaves in bushels and every leaf looks like a piece of leaf lace. This is a beautiful tree and I have another in back that I hope does not become affected.
    thank you

  24. By Cee on Aug 4, 2010

    everybody take action now b4 these bugs get into your home cause if they do it will be a pain.thanks for the advice.

  25. By Robert on Aug 23, 2010

    I live in Lubbock,TX and have been infested with these elm leaf beetles for 3 years. We have never been able to get rid of them. As other comments stated, they get all over you and in the house. It is horrible! Hopefully this will do the trick.

  26. By Diane Dupree on Aug 17, 2011

    We built a house one year ago near an elm tree and now the elm leaf beetle are in our house en mass. They are outside flying around the house; inside they are on the ceiling, in the windows, on the carpet. We have a dog that is fascinated by them and will eat them. They are very annoying and I want to try an eco-friendly safe product.

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