The holes are about the diameter of a pencil lead. Depending on the condition of the tree, some holes may have small globs of pitch or resin associated with them. These galleries may range from an inch or two to over a foot in length. Although not produced by the Ips beetle, creamy-white, fluffy wood dust at the base of the tree is a sure sign the tree is dead. An ambrosia beetle that comes to the tree shortly after the tree dies produces this creamy-white wood dust.
Galleries occur underneath the bark.
Signs of Ips attacks on pine trees are the same in rural and urban areas. Again, it is important that homeowners be certain pine engraver beetles have attacked their trees before going to the expense and effort to have the trees removed. Don t make the mistake of paying to have healthy, uninfested pines removed. If a beetle-killed tree is cut, care should be taken to avoid damage to residual, uninfested pine trees. Trees in residential areas that could eventually fall on buildings, vehicles, power lines, roads, fences, etc., should be removed before they become a hazard.