Control Use of cultural practices as described previously is the only cost effective method of control in commercial forest situations. Ornamental pine tree and Christmas tree plantation control recommendations follow. Historically, the most effective method of managing the tip moth has been and continues to be the timely application of insecticides. Any and all applications of insecticides should be based on knowledge of presence of the Nantucket pine tip moth. The following survey methods are recommended for determining timing of insecticide applications.
Pheromones are chemicals that insects use to attract one another.
The female pine tip moth uses a sex pheromone to attract males. Synthetic forms of the pheromone are available through various insect management supply companies and are provided as encapsulated forms or on strips of material. The most effective method of determining presence and occurrence of peak numbers of moths is by placing a minimum of one trap per acre or two traps around small orchards by March 1 of each growing season. Sources of traps and pheromone lures are noted at the end of this publication. Traps should be examined at least three to four times per week and numbers of moths captured noted.