The U.S. Forest Service announced early signs indicating national forest lands will face a second consecutive year of a severe southern pine beetle outbreak threatening to damage tens of thousands of acres of pine forests in Mississippi.
Forest Service scientists found large numbers of the beetles in traps located on the Homochitto Ranger District in southwest Mississippi and the Bienville Ranger District in central Mississippi. Last year, the Forest Service found nearly 4,000 spots of infestation by southern pine beetles on the Homochitto, Bienville, Tombigbee, and Holly Springs Ranger Districts.
Forest workers are surveying infested timber stands to identify priority treatment areas and cutting infested trees – creating buffer zones between the infested and healthy stand areas to control the outbreaks.
The Forest Service continues to work closely with the Mississippi Forestry Commission in responding to the southern pine beetle outbreak.
Landowners with concerns about potential southern pine beetle activity on their property should contact their Mississippi Forestry Commission area forester.
From WAPT 16 News: https://www.wapt.com/article/forest-service-prepares-for-second-year-of-severe-bug-outbreak/20889352