Frequently Asked Questions About Insects - Department of Entomology at Texas A&M University

Frequently Asked Questions

Topic:	Beetles, woodborers
Question:	Borer worms have attacked and killed five of my trees. They leave holes in the bark where they enter. They first attacked an elm, then, two sycamores, a peach tree, and last year a plum tree. They seem to move from tree to tree and the usual sprays don't seem to work. Do you know how to get rid of them, what to use, and some of the commercial brand names?
Answer:	Usually borers enter trees once the trees are already dying. I would expect that drought or some other factor is the real cause of death and borers enter the trees later. This idea is supported by the variety of trees that you list. A drought would impact all of those trees but there would have to be several borer species to attack all of those trees.
Related Link:	http://insects.tamu.edu/extension/bulletins/b-5086.html
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Response by:	John A. Jackman
Title:	Professor and Extension Specialist
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