Mountain Pine Beetles are a native species to the pine forests of North America and are always present in our forests. They are typically brown or black in color and about 1/8th to 1/3rd of and inch long (about the size of a grain of rice).

Over the past few years, our forests have been experiencing the largest outbreak ever recorded. All areas, from wilderness to recreational properties, wind rows and in-town landscaping, are being affected. Lodgepole, ponderosa, limber, and scotch pines are the most susceptible species of host trees. Englelmann, Colorado blue spruce and the Douglas-fir are also at risk from related beetles called the spruce and Douglas-fir beetles, which are equally prevalent in this outbreak. Treatment for these is the same as for the mountain pine beetle.

The Western forests throughout North America will experience up to ninety-five percent fatality of all mature host tree species. This means all host trees 4+ inches in diameter will most likely be infested and killed. Property values will decrease as much as 40% with mass tree die off.