A wildfire-mitigation effort aimed at protecting pine trees and reducing future forest fuels drew a strong response Saturday morning as residents lined up at the Estes Valley Fire Protection District headquarters to receive free BeetleBlock pheromone packets.
The Estes Valley Board of Realtors distributed all 560 packets in less than an hour during the giveaway, which was scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., with supplies exhausted within about 20 minutes, according to board president Becky Robbins.
“People were lined up at 9 a.m.,” said Robbins.
The program was funded through a $5,000 2026 Community Mitigation Grant awarded by the Larimer County Office of Emergency Management. The grant was secured through an application submitted by local Realtor Mary Murphy on behalf of the Estes Valley Board of Realtors.
The grant was one of several wildfire-mitigation projects funded across Larimer County this year. According to the county’s award list, the Estes Valley Board of Realtors received funding specifically for its BeetleBlock pine beetle prevention project.
More than a dozen members of the Estes Valley Fire Protection District attended the event, supporting the distribution effort and answering residents’ questions about forest health and wildfire mitigation.
Concerns about the impact of bark beetles on the forests
The giveaway reflects growing concern about the long-term impacts of bark beetle infestations on forests in and around Estes Park. While mountain pine beetle populations fluctuate naturally, outbreaks can kill large numbers of pine trees, leaving behind standing dead timber that increases wildfire risk and complicates forest-management efforts.
Mountain pine beetles attack pine trees by burrowing beneath the bark, where they feed and reproduce. The insects also carry spores of blue-stain fungus, which disrupts a tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients. Infested trees often die within a relatively short period.
The BeetleBlock packets contain 6.75 grams of verbenone, a naturally occurring organic compound found in plants such as rosemary. Verbenone functions as an anti-aggregation pheromone, signaling to bark beetles that a tree is already occupied and encouraging them to seek another host.
The packets do not kill beetles. Instead, they are intended to help discourage attacks on healthy trees when used as part of a broader forest-management strategy.
Experts recommend attaching the packets to the north side of pine tree trunks approximately six to seven feet above the ground before mid-June, when mountain pine beetles begin their annual flight. The packets should remain in place through at least mid-September. The number of packets needed depends on tree size and stand density.
Research has shown mixed results, with effectiveness varying based on weather conditions, forest density, site characteristics, and beetle population levels.
Under heavy infestation conditions, verbenone’s effectiveness may be significantly reduced, making it most useful when combined with other mitigation measures such as forest thinning, removal of infested trees, and preventive treatments.
For wildfire officials, protecting living trees has benefits that extend beyond forest health.
Dead and dying trees can become significant wildfire fuels, increasing the intensity and spread potential of future fires. By helping homeowners protect healthy pines from beetle attacks, organizers said the program supports broader community efforts to reduce hazardous fuels and improve wildfire resilience throughout the Estes Valley.
The packets were distributed in bundles of five on a first-come, first-served basis.
Residents who were unable to obtain free packets on Saturday can still place an order through Murphy. Orders must be submitted by noon on Monday, June 8, and paid in advance by cash or check. Murphy said the additional packets are expected to be available for pickup within about a week.
To order through Murphy, call 970-214-6350. BeetleBlock packets are also available for purchase online through EcoGreen Warehouse in Westminster.
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