Northern Michigan Forests Just Can’t Catch a Break: Beetle Swarm Imminent

While we all enjoy the warm weather that comes with summer, plenty of other things emerge as the time comes. Birds return, the trees begin to blossom, and the bugs come back out (for better and for worse). We welcome bugs like bumblebees and ladybugs, but there are plenty like mosquitoes and ticks that, if they didn't return, no one would miss.

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These bugs come in all varieties, but few are as destructive as wood-eating bugs. From the large amount of forests we have to your back deck, Michigan has lots of wood that these pests love to munch on. Last summer, carpenter bees dominated parts of Michigan, but this summer, a whole new threat is facing much of northern Michigan.

A Swarm Heads Up North

The Bible tells a story of a swarm of locusts heading to Egypt, wreaking havoc on the city. A situation like this is headed for much of the already storm-ravaged Northern Michigan forests. Mlive recently reported on a "legion of bark beetles" that will soon head to the nearly 3 million acres of forest destroyed by the catastrophic ice storm.

As if things weren't bad enough, as these pine trees were damaged, they sent out a scent that attracts pest insects that consume bark and wood. Officials estimate that within the next two months, the wood will be infected by native wood-boring insects.

READ MORE: Is This Devastating Northern Michigan 'Ice Storm' Being Overlooked? |

Michigan's Native Wood-Boring Insects

Michigan has several native wood-boring insects, like the previously mentioned carpenter bee (left), but the most common beetles are the pine beetle (bottom) and the powder post beetle (right). These beetles are known for digging into the wood or bark and eating the bark, killing the tree. Since these trees are on damaged as it is, they are even more susceptible to infestation.

While it is unknown if the increase in insects heading north will cause an increase in wood-boring insects around the state, it is a good idea to keep your eye out. These are the tell-tale signs you have a wood-boring insect infestation.