Crapemyrtle – Treating Ambrosia Beetles

Q: I have found evidence of Asian ambrosia beetles on my crepe myrtle. I have read that I should destroy the tree.

A: The damage done by this insect depends on how many of the beetles bored holes into your crapemyrtle and how much fungus they deposited. You won’t know with any certainty until you notice wilting leaves. If you saw only a few “toothpicks”, the tree might survive the invasion. Wait until mid-June to decide what to do. Even if you have to cut off the top of the tree, it will likely resprout at the bottom. One of the strong shoots can be trained to become a new central trunk.