Southern pine beetles are attracted to damaged pine trees by the sweet pine scent. Unfortunately, officials said there is no easy cure.
"For the homeowner in particular, there really isn't a recommended chemical that you could use to prevent the pine beetles from attacking your trees," Decker said.
Officials claim the only thing to do once the beetles get into a tree is to cut the tree down and remove it.
All across the area, trees -pines in particular -have suffered damage from the storm. All the cleanup will keep landscaper Michael McNeil busy for weeks.
"What a mess," he said. "There's been a lot of damage, limbs everywhere."
Moore County homeowner John Valeri said the tree damage is depressing to him.
"It makes me sick because I love the trees," he said. "I bought the lot because of all the trees on it and each year, I lose a few."
Even WRAL-TV's azalea gardens in Raleigh were not spared from the wintry weather.
"It's a shame what we're seeing out here," WRAL horticulturist Gil Decker said. "I don't think there is a single tree that doesn't have some damage on it."
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