MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – Acting Forest Supervisor Gar Abbas has signed a decision memo to implement the Rust Resistant Sugar Pine, or RRSP, Pheromone Treatment Project on the Mendocino National Forest.

The treatment will help repel mountain pine beetles from 16 white pine blister rust resistant sugar pines.

Approximately 1,700 trees were evaluated for this disease resistant trait.

The project seeks to protect the known RRSP trees across the Covelo, Grindstone and Upper Lake districts so that the Forest Service can collect their seeds for use in future reforestation efforts to improve forest health.

A SPLAT Verb product containing the registered bio pesticide verbenone will be applied to the 16 trees.

The product would not kill beetles or trees where applied. Verbenone is a pheromone that signals to mountain pine beetles that the tree is overcrowded with beetles which discourages additional beetles from occupying and attacking the tree.

The product needs to be applied prior to beetle “flight” and may be implemented immediately. Questions may be directed to Radek Glebocki, Grindstone district project lead, 530-934-1215.