Beetle workshop Feb. 11

On Saturday, Feb. 11, from 10 a.m. to noon, South Dakota State University's Dr. John Ball, Brian Garbisch from Custer State Park and U.S. Forest Service entomologist Dr. Kurt Allen will host a meeting on treating trees to save them from mountain pine beetles. The workshop will be held at Crazy Horse Memorial.
A number of companies are soliciting business from private and public customers and using different methods to save trees. Ball, Allen Garbisch "have had a lot of calls from folks wondering about the spraying" according to Ball.
Ball said People have questions about what products to use and why, the best time of year to spray or otherwise treat trees, and requests for lists of who to contact for help including federal, state, county, city, and private entities.
Ball said they "decided to host a number of meeting open to the public to discuss and answer these questions."
Warne Chemical, D&C Spraying of Custer, and Timberline Tree Spraying, among others, have been invited to demonstrate equipment at the session to show the public the various capabilities and products available for use. Warne Chemical of Rapid City will be providing the sprayer to be used for the demonstration this Saturday "but we will be repeating this workshop several times this spring as the time for treatment approaches and anyone else is welcome to volunteer to bring a sprayer along during any of these sessions,” Ball said.
Everyone is welcome to attend and discuss their services after a short presentation on mountain pine beetle and treatment options.
"We are attempting to get the word out to as many applicators as possible as well as the public," Ball said.
Contact Ball at 695-2503 with any questions. For more information go to www.beatthebeetles.com