Hand prune infested leaders as soon as noticed. Cut the infested leader off just above the topmost living whorl of branches and burn. This will prevent loses of more than 2 years growth. Train one of the lateral branches to replace the leader. White pine weevil can be controlled with an insecticide applied in the spring when the adults are feeding and ovipositing on the leaders.
Treatments are effective against the adults only.
Therefore, the sprays must be applied before the eggs are deposited in the bark. This means the spray must be applied by late April in warmer sections of Vermont. In cooler areas treatments may be effectively applied as late as May 15. Apply the spray thoroughly around the leader and especially just below the terminal bud cluster. A bamboo support pole and aluminum or plastic tubing may be affixed to extend pole to readily treat trees to 20 to 25 feet.