The methods currently used to combat infestations by insects that crawl up tree trunks fall into two categories: Insect-Targeted products and Tree-Targeted products. BugBarrier Tree Band is a Tree-Targeted product.

Insect-Targeted Control Products

These products are chemical or biological products that are sprayed into the tree to reduce the insect population. Bt (Bacillus thuriniegensis) is an example of a biological spray. Bt is a bacteria that attacks members of the lepidoptera (moths and butterflies) family. Their larva are caterpillars, such as the gypsy moth and cankerworm larvae. (For information sources click here).

Tree-Targeted Control Products

Tree-targeted products protect the tree against insect infestation. BugBarrier Tree Band is an example of an easy to use product in this category.

BugBarrier Tree Band, which can be installed easily by a green industry professional or homeowner, consists of a dense, flexible fiber barrier that is wrapped around the trunk to fill bark furrows and cut off the insects' escape route. A film barrier is then installed over the fiber. The outside of the film is attractive, clean and resilient. The inside is sticky to stop bugs dead in their tracks. A portion of the film barrier protrudes below the fiber barrier to prevent bugs from taking a detour.

Insect-Targeted Vs. Tree-Targeted

A tree-targeted product is able to protect a specific tree. An insect-targeted product uses a shotgun approach to kill as many insects as possible; protecting the tree itself is not one of this approach's objectives.