Shot Hole Borer (PSHB) is embedding itself in South African trees. Take a walk in the forest, check your garden, and hunt down the bug that is killing our trees!

– Story courtesy of Tree Survey

The bug is in Johannesburg, Durban, George and was recently discovered in Cape Town.

If the trees in your neighbourhood have been infested we can assist with training the local service providers, and guide the municipality in how to implement a suitable management protocol.

This war against the ‘Shot Hole Borer’ has just gotten personal! Make sure that your friends and family are informed.

Often the first time people become aware of this tiny little beetle is when their tree "suddenly starts dying". You will not notice this beetle unless you hunt for it - it is smaller than a sesame seed!

Tree Survey is running a competition this month to improve South Africa's PSHB National Distribution data - download the competition pdf here.

Shot Hole Borer distribution in South Africa
The following map shows where the Shot Hole Borer has been verified within South Africa:

View the latest PSHB National Distribution Maps here.

To fight this bug we need to know where it is... We need close up photos of the tiny beetle holes to diagnose if your tree is under attack from the Shot Hole Borer.

If we know the numbers and exact location of affected trees, help is available and we can launch an action plan. The earlier treatment starts the better.

We have made it easy for everyone to participate in the solution.

Report the bug on your phone using the Tree Survey app ... spot, snap and click to make a stand.

Urban tree showing damage form the shothole borer and fungus.

Report two trees and win
Tree Survey has partnered with arborists who are at the front line in fighting the ‘Shot Hole Borer’ -  stand a chance to win the service of your local ‘Shot Hole Borer’ expert…

Prizes offered:
2 x Arborist Consultation and Treatment in Gauteng
1 x Arborist Consultation and Control in Cape Town
1 x Arborist Consultation and Control in Garden Route
1 x Arborist Consultation in Durban
1 x PSHB Workshop
1 x PSHB War Chest

To enter the competition, download Tree Survey from your app store, and log two infested trees during April 2019 - each incident must have at least one close upphoto showing the tiny holes in the bark:

Report 1 x Shot Hole Borer infested private tree 
Report 1 x Shot Hole Borer infested public tree (street, park, forest)

Reported infested public trees are forwarded to your local Municipality.

*Realted article: FABI team has shothole borer in its sights