Borer control

    This time of year, I begin to receive a lot of phone calls and questions regarding borer damage in trees. The first thing you need to understand is that borers tend to attack trees under stress, and we see borers in ash, birch, lilacs, apple and peach trees, just to name a few.
    There are two important steps in having effective borer control- borer identification and timing of control. A product that is effective for borer control is Bayer Tree and Shrub Insect Killer (controls flathead borers, such as the flathead apple borer and the bronze birch borer). This product is labeled for use on both roundheaded and flatheaded borers.
    Other recommended products include Spectracide Bug Stop Multipurpose Insect Control (labeled for peach twig borer and lesser peach tree borer) and Fertilome Indoor/Outdoor Insect Spray (also labeled for peach twig borer and lesser peach tree borer)
    For effective control on ash/lilac borers (roundheaded borers), Hi- Yield Indoor/Outdoor Broad Use Insecticide or Hi-Yield Lawn, Garden, Pet and Livestock Insect Control. This particular product contains permethrin and is labeled for both flat- and roundheaded borers.  Each of these products is labeled for ash/lilac borers on trees and shrubs. The product label indicates that the initial treatment application should be followed up by a second treatment four weeks later.
    Regardless of the product you choose, be sure it is labeled for the tree you are treating, and always read and follow label directions.
    The best defense against borers is a healthy tree.  Keeping the tree adequately watered and mulched to promote healthy root and tree growth. For more information on borer control, contact the Ford County Extension Office.