Timing of insecticide applications and coverage of the areas where pests are active is the key to control. For example, difubenzuron is target-specific in its mode of action in that it affects only caterpillars. Conversely, diflubenzuron and other insecticides such as pyrethroids are particularly toxic to non-target organisms in neighboring bodies of water such as crawfish and shrimp. The least toxic materials registered for use on pine trees include the insecticidal soap and horticultural oil products. These are not nerve-acting insecticides and are registered for the suppression of small, soft bodied insects.
Some products have systemic activity, such as acephate, dimethoate, carbofuran or disulfoton.
Once in the plant, these insecticides may spare some predator and parasite species which do not feed directly on the plant. However, care should be taken to avoid ground water contamination when applying insecticides directly into the soil. When using a new product for the first time, spray a few trees and observe for possible phytotoxic reactions such as tip burn or deformed new growth. Some products, such as insecticidal soap may affect the waxy coating of foliage, temporarily causing a color change. Question marks indicate difficulty in interpreting the product label for this use.