| We are bothered with peach tree borers on our peach trees and something is bothering our plum trees. The branches on the peach trees have been eaten by the larvae of peach tree borers. The bark on the plum trees aren't smooth but are rough and they bloom but won't produce fruit. I suspect the peach tree borers are doing this. Can you tell me what to spray on them to prevent this? Thanks!Irma |
| I honestly think you should collect one or two of the insects you find in your tree and have them professionally identified. It might be that they are not peach tree borers after all. Here's why I'm suspicious: The peachtree borer attacks healthy bark near the soil line, usually just below the ground line or in the lower 12 inches of the trunk. Borers can kill young trees when trunks are girdled by feeding. Borers feed on the growing inner bark of trees, and tunnel between the inner bark and the sapwood. The bark eventually peels off of damaged areas. Damage weakens the tree and predisposes it to attack by other pests and diseases. A gummy mass mixed with sawdust is usually found on the outer bark at the place where a borer started an attack. Entries are often found where there are cankers or wounds caused by other factors such as winter injury. After collecting the insects, place them in a plastic baggie, seal it up and take it to your local Cooperative Extension office for positive identification. Helpful folks there will suggest control remedies based upon what your insects actually are. Here's the contact information: Cooperative Extension Riverside County 21150 Box Springs Road, Ste 202 Moreno Valley, CA 92557-8718 Phone: (951) 683-6491. |
