Forest Service prepares for second year of severe bug outbreak
U.S. Forest Service says another severe southern pine beetle outbreak expected.
U.S. Forest Service says another severe southern pine beetle outbreak expected.
The U.S. Forest Service announced early signs indicate national forest lands will face a second consecutive year of a severe southern pine beetle outbreak threatening to damage tens of thousands of acres of pine forests in Mississippi.
Forest Service scientists found large numbers of the beetles in traps located on the Homochitto Ranger District in southwest Mississippi and the Bienville ranger district in central Mississippi.
Last year, the Forest Service found nearly 4,000 spots of infestation by southern pine beetles on the Homochitto, Bienville, Tombigbee, and Holly Springs Ranger Districts.
Forest workers are surveying infested timber stands to identify priority treatment areas and cutting infested trees – creating buffer zones between the infested and healthy stand areas to control the outbreaks. .
The Forest Service continues to work closely with the Mississippi Forestry Commission in responding to the southern pine beetle outbreak.
Landowners with concerns about potential southern pine beetle activity on their property should contact their Mississippi Forestry Commission area forester.
To find the area forester for each county, visit www.mfc.ms.gov/offices and click on the appropriate county.
For additional information about southern pine beetles, go to www.mfc.ms.gov/SPB-Prevention.