Borers

If a plant is stressed from injury, drought, being planted too deep, struggling in the wrong location or various other factors, it's a target for borers. Generally Borers do not attack healthy, vigorous plants. Nature's defense is waiting for them.

Borers are larvae of beetles or moths. Depending upon the insect species the female either lays eggs in bark crevices or chews an egg holding niche open. The eggs hatch into tiny grub-like creatures that feed by tunneling through the bark and sapwood. Their meandering food forays create crooked, crisscrossing galleries that impede the flow of water and nutrients. That, naturally, results in twig or branch dieback. Borers are often blamed for killing a tree but they are only the final visible proverbial straw.

Controlling Borers
Healthy plants easily thwart borers. As the larvae tunnel into the sapwood the tunnel fills with sap, drowning the insect. What could be simpler?

To help prevent borers on newly planted trees or those you are nursing back to health, we recommend Bayer Advanced Garden™ Tree & Shrub Insect Control. One application of this liquid insecticide provides 12 month control of borers, aphids, Japanese beetles, sawflies and even scale, thrips and whiteflies. And it is extremely easy to apply. Simply add the required amount (1 ounce per inch of trunk circumference) to water and slowly pour the solution evenly around the tree or shrub, as close to the trunk or main stem as possible. No spraying, no complicated mixing and no repeat applications.

How It Works
The insecticide is absorbed by the roots and moves throughout the plant, even into seasonal new growth. Depending upon the size and health of the plant, complete distribution may take one to three weeks and, as a systemic product, it is not washed off or diluted by rainfall.

Bayer Advanced Garden™ Tree & Shrub Insect Control is not recommended for borer control in fruit trees.

Peaches, plums, cherries, and apricots are best protected with Fertilome Borer, Bagworm, Leafminer & Tent Caterpillar Spray containing Spinosad. Up to six applications may be required in a season with a wait of 7-14 days from last application to harvest.

Obviously the best borer control is a healthy, vigorous plant. Take the time to plant your plants correctly, identify and remove any existing stresses on established plants, provide supplemental water when needed and fertilize with recommended according to package directions.

Please ask an expert at the Garden Center for recommendations for fertilizers for your trees and shrubs.