Canberra is renowned for its magnificent elm trees — a defining feature of the city’s streetscapes and gardens. But every spring, as the weather warms, elm leaf beetle (Xanthogaleruca luteola) emerges to feed, and left untreated, an infestation can seriously damage even a mature, established tree.
Terra Solarus is a registered, accredited business for elm leaf beetle treatments in the ACT. Jackie and Bret have been treating Canberra’s elm trees for over 15 years and know exactly what to look for — and when to act.
Elm leaf beetles are small insects — around 5mm long — with a yellow, green or brown body and two distinctive stripes running down their back. They attack elm trees by feeding on the leaves from the underside, leaving a characteristic skeletonised appearance before the leaf browns and drops.
A heavy infestation causes significant defoliation, which weakens the tree and makes it vulnerable to secondary disease and stress. Repeated infestations over several seasons can cause lasting damage and decline.
Canberra’s spring warming is the ideal time for beetles to become active — and the ideal time to treat them, before populations build and damage takes hold.
Terra Solarus uses tree stem injections to treat elm leaf beetle infestations. This method delivers treatment directly into the tree’s vascular system, which is widely regarded as the safest and most effective approach — minimising chemical exposure to the surrounding environment while ensuring the treatment reaches where it’s needed.
Terra Solarus holds the following accreditations for this work:
Spring is the key window — ideally before beetle populations peak and feeding damage becomes visible. If you’ve noticed signs of beetle activity on your elm trees, or if your trees have been affected in previous seasons, it’s worth getting in touch early to plan your treatment schedule.
For more information about elm leaf beetle identification and prevention, download our information sheet.
If you’re concerned about elm leaf beetle on your property — or you’d simply like to know more about what treatment involves — Jackie and Bret are happy to chat.
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