PROTECT AGAINST BARK BEETLES
Here is the company that the Granite County Extension recommended to me as a source for beetle packets:
https://www.forestrydistributing.com
They are just one source to consider (there are local sources too) but I found them to be a great. Forestry Distributing is based in Colorado.
For pine beetles they have Verbenone Repellents
For Douglas fir/spruce beetles they have MCH Bubble Caps
With climate change, I think the time to put up packets is shifting 2-3 weeks earlier for each pest. The DNRC or USFS might be a good resource to help us understand when to put up packets, along with # of packets suggested per acre, spacing etc. I think it’s March/April for the fir MCH, and late June/early July for the pine Verbenone.
Every beetle expert I talked to said more than anything, thinning was the #1 thing they recommend. Trees naturally shouldn’t be closer than 30-60ft apart (I’m told), which is hardly the norm since we’ve surpassed fire for 100 years. Many of my small trees are 1-3ft apart, I have a long way to go. I’m buying a chipper this spring so I don’t have to burn the trees I thin.
Finally, the DNRC suggested Rock Creek might be eligible for a state or federal grant for beetles since it’s such an issue in Montana and Rock Creek is a popular recreation area. I don’t know how grants work but can’t hurt to pursue?