Saskatchewan

Band now to prevent cankerworms, City of Regina says

The City of Regina is reminding people it's time to band their trees to prevent cankerworm infestations.

Bands should be kept on from late March to end of May

Tree bands help protect against cankerworm infestations, which can result in leafless trees. (Craig Saunders/CBC)

The City of Regina is asking residents to band its trees to help stop cankerworms. 

It says the sticky rings, which go about a metre high on tree trunks, should be kept in place from now until the end of May.

Elm, Manitoba maple and fruit trees are all at risk unless precautions are taken, the city says.

Cankerworms are known to munch on the leaves of elm, ash, Manitoba maple, linden, oak and ornamental trees. (Trees Winnipeg)

Banding at this time helps catch cankerworm moths as they emerge from the soil for the spring.

The city says also people shouldn't forget to remove the bands after the recommended period, as they can cause stress to trees.  

So far, close to 500 trees have already been banded by the city to monitor infestation levels this year.   

Learn how to band trees here

The bands are made out of a strip of insulation, surrounded by plastic and a sticky substance. (Craig Saunders/CBC)