Is anyone drenching for borers early?

We are expecting a big rain shower here on Saturday, so I am planning on spreading my chemicals just ahead of it. The rule of thumb is after two days in the 70's without frost at night, we have exceeded that here in Southern Wisconsin. Nasty little critters!

Im new to this. What should I use on my iris ?

Thanks

I want to know too. I had an old clump of iris that I dug up last year that had borers. So what is the best way to handle them - what products, etc. Thanks, ~Jan

me too, please tell us what is best to use. AND are they safe for your dogs and cats to be around? Also, if it is going to rain, are you using a dry treatment instead of a liquid? thank you, Marsha

I am new to iris but DD moved some of hers here 5 years ago. They have been disappearing slowly ever since. I am not sure it isnt a combination of borers and rot.
ANYWAY!!
I use Bayer Tree and Shrub .It says "for borers" right on the lable. Its a liquid and I sprayed our iris last year. Many iris people use this . I will drench my new iris this week as its been in the 70's and will go to 80 a couple of days. I also use Bayer on my lilies for the Red Lily Beetle.
The product containes Imidicloprid which is a "soft skinned insectacide" guess thats the borer alright.

Here's a link that should be helpful. The active ingredient necesary is Imidicloprid. I use the granular form made by Bayer, just spread it around, but not on the rhizomes, then water, or let the rain do its trick.. I get it at the Farm and Fleet store, but I'd guess any garden supply or farm supply store would have it. It seems to be pet safe, but one side problem is that it may be harmful to bees. It doesn't seem to harm the Japanese beetles though. (AAARRRGGGGG) Areas in the far South may not have this problem though, I hear.


http://www.irisgarden.org/bore...

I use the liquid and will drench this weekend.
Thanks for the article. Merit mentioned is the same as Bayer Tree and Shrub but only available to commercial growers as I understand.

We don't spray. John hand picks them & now I do some of that. We like the bees in the garden.

I've never seen those little bugger's Thankfully. But,like Lucy I like my bee's . Had a few this week
buzzing around my camalia's

I believe the beetle is further north and is quite widespread from Mass. into the Michigan area.
I looked at an article about Imicloprid and bees. I have beed and couldnt believe what I read. French entemologist says they are affected and its called "mad bee disease"

I think it's been pretty much proven the death of the bees was caused by mites, not Imidicloprid as originally thought. I used the Bayer drench on my irises, and have seen no death of bees. On the contrary we have tons of different kinds of them. They seem to love the hydrangeas.

Maybe it is a good idea to treat my iris then. Being we are moving to RI my iris will be protected .
And the bee's will BE ok Will the granular work as well ? They have that at my local Walmart

Yes, just make sure it has Imidacloprid in it.

Thanks

You're welcome.

While it's true that no link has been established between Imidacloprid and Colony Collapse Disorder/Mad Bee Disease, it has been conclusively shown that Imidacloprid is lethal to bees, even at very low concentrations. The only points of contention at this time are whether the concentration of Imidacloprid in the pollen and nectar of various plants is sufficient to kill bees and how vulnerable non-honey bee species (there are thousands of species of bees in North America alone, but almost all the research to date is focused on honey bees) are to the pesticide. The bottom line is, if you care at all about bees, you ought to carefully consider what you put on your plants and why.

I bet the clorox soak used for rot might bother the borers. Look closely there might be eggs or they are very young & easy to pick off.

Thanks Kent. I think we should all be aware of what pesticides can do, and use them as sparingly as possible.

Not sure this is an iris borer problem, but an iris scape has suddenly turned mushy (and smelly). I've dug out as much of it as I could and put it in the garbage, but should I destroy the whole plant? Is this the damage that iris borers do? Yuk!