Owners of private land in the Cariboo Region now have a new tool to help prevent the spread of damaging Douglas-fir beetles on their property.

“A Guide to Managing Douglas-fir Beetles on Private Property” is an illustrated publication produced by the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations. It helps landowners quickly identify the larval and adult stages of this harmful insect and recognize the tell-tale signs of an infestation.

Populations of Douglas-fir beetles are currently high in the Cariboo Region. If left unchecked, a serious infestation can damage or kill Douglas-fir trees wherever they may grow in British Columbia, especially in the dry, interior regions of the province. The beetles normally attack small groups of trees, but it’s not uncommon for dozens of trees to be affected at the same time during a significant outbreak.

The new guide includes information on:

• Identifying current Douglas-fir beetle attacks in forested areas.
• Checking for external signs of an attack on individual trees.
• Checking for internal signs of an attack on individual trees.
• Safely removing and disposing of Douglas-fir trees that are under attack.
• Taking effective remedial steps to reduce the risk of beetles spreading to other trees.

The guide is available online at: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/dqu/DouglasFirBeetles_factsheet_FLNRO_Web.pdf

Free paper copies are available at the following offices in the Cariboo Region:

Williams Lake:

Natural Resource Building - FrontCounter BC
640 Borland St., #200
Williams Lake, B.C.  V2G 4T1
Phone: 250 398-4345

100 Mile House:

B.C. Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations - FrontCounter BC
300 Highway 97
100 Mile House, B.C.  V0K 2E0
250 395-7800

Quesnel:

B.C. Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations - FrontCounter BC
322 Johnston Ave.
Quesnel, B.C.  V2J 3M5
250 992-4400

Media Contacts:

Greig Bethel
Public Affairs Officer
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 356-5261