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The polyphagous shot hole borer Beetle (PSHB) has a devasting impact on South Africa’s economy, amounting to R275 billion over the next few years, Cape {town} Etc reports.

The City of Cape Town, however, has recently hosted an online webinar to educate residents about the PSHB beetle on Thursday, 10 October.

Also read: Borer beetle infestation spotted in Penhill, Eerste River

Between June 2023 and June 2024, 938 trees were infected and removed from properties that are owned by the City, with the municipality stating that the PSHB beetle poses a ‘serious threat’ to Cape Town’s urban forest.

This is because if a tree is infested, it has to be chopped down.

In addition, infested trees have been recorded in the areas of Alphen, Constantia, Penhill, Newlands, Rondebosch, Mowbray, Claremont, Kenilworth, Observatory along the Liesbeek River, as well as Helderberg.

Earlier this week, the City continued its educational and informative sessions on how the PSHB beetle can be recognised and what to do.

The City explained that the trees that have been affected by the PSHB beetle include Boxelders, London Planes, English Oaks, Beef Wood, Weeping Willow, Cape Chestnut, Black Locust, Paperbark and Maples.

Eddie Andrews, deputy mayor and Mayco Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, said that education regarding the PSHB beetle was vital.

‘The PSHB beetle can easily spread across suburbs if extra precaution is not taken […] The intention is to educate the public on how to identify infested trees, manage and transport beetle infested biomass to prevent the spread of the pest as far as possible,’ said Andrews.

‘Importantly, the use of pesticides and fungicides have not proven effective at eradicating PSHB from infected trees […] We need the support and collaboration of residents and businesses working with plant material,’ Andrews added.

Andrews said that a Boxelder tree infested with PSHB was discovered in Alphen, Constantia a few months ago, which was ‘of great concern’ to the City, according to IOL.

‘We are therefore also asking that residents also assist by reporting any Boxelder trees as they come across them, which will help the team assess the extent of possible infestation in certain areas,’ said Andrews.


Also read:

CoCT to hold free borer beetle training sessions in these areas

Picture: City of Cape Town / X

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