IMA-Jet Injection

Protect each individual tree by using IMA-Jet (imidacloprid) from Arborjet  - a micro-injectable systemic insecticide. The costs for application are applied by tallying trees to be treated and their size. Tree size is measured by sizing the diameter at breast height (DBH). Each tree is marked with a unique identification tag and registered on a GPS map.

Imidacloprid is in the neonicotinoid class of insecticides and acts as a neurotoxin to insects. Although imidacloprid is highly toxic to insects, it has a low toxicity to vertebrates (mammals, birds and fish). It is regularly used as the active ingredient in tick and flea treatments.

IMA-Jet is injected directly into the tree, creating a closed pesticide system. It takes up to one year to control HWA, and is effective when trees still have 65% crown closure. This treatment is not a cure against HWA and will need to be reapplied or paired with additional management practices focused on diversification of woodlots. There are various studies assessing how long the stem injections are effective in trees, estimated between 4-7 years- repeating injections every four years is advised.

To begin determining whether this treatment is suitable for your trees, use this decision-making key developed by the Medway Community Forest Cooperative.

In the United States, insecticide injections have been the most successful short-term method for protecting high-value hemlock trees and slowing the spread of HWA. These treatments may take as long as two years to translocate to the tree canopy where it becomes effective against HWA. Direct, systemic injection into trees greatly decreases environmental exposure to the chemical as well as the amount of product required.