In any case, regularly inspect around the base of trees throughout the season. Treatment of just one or a few trees is unlikely to be as effective as banding all trees in a neighborhood, because adult beetles can fly between treated and untreated trees. Because overwintering adults fly to the canopy and lay eggs, first generation beetle populations or damage are not reduced by that season's banding. Study of Siberian elm, Ulmus pumila ,in northern California found good control during the first season of banding, but beetles were not controlled during the first year on English elm and Scotch elm. This is because Siberian elms are less susceptible to elm leaf beetle.
Pest management is generally more effective when a combination of methods are used.
Several insecticides that can be used as foliar sprays are available to supplement banding during the first year or two of treatment or when early season populations are high. The low toxicity insecticide Bacillus thuringiensis, and insecticidal oil are good choices in an integrated pest management program. More persistent, broad-spectrum materials, including carbaryl and pyrethroids, are also available for foliar application but can kill natural enemies of insect pests on elms and will also drift on to other neighboring trees with potential for causing secondary outbreak problems or environmental concerns. Because specialized equipment is required to reach the tops of elm trees, a professional applicator will have to be hired to make foliar sprays. Manufacturers' products vary in their effectiveness and Bt varieties labeled for moth and butterfly caterpillars or mosquito larvae are not effective against elm leaf beetle.