If insect damage is observed, its extent must be assessed. If the bark beetle is to blame, the infestation must be removed as quickly as possible and measures taken to ensure it does not infect the rest of the stand, explained Lazdiņa. "In spring, when everything is waking up, you might notice strange sap leaking from trunks. That is when you should consider whether some ailment has set in," the researcher advised, noting that both the State Forest Service and the State Plant Protection Service websites contain information on what to look out for.