How to treat borers in a large lilly pilly tree?

[lezasc]

 

Hello, Is there a product I can use to treat my lilly pilly tree which is affected by borers? It’s been a reoccurring issue over the years. I used confidor, years ago, and it came back lush. What product is just as effective but won’t harm the bees? It’s an important  privacy tree so we don’t want to remove it if possible.

Many thanks.

 

[JacobZ]

Hi @lezasc,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is wonderful to have you with us.

Unfortunately, I am not aware of a product that would be effective against the borers that would not also affect bees. Knowing how destructive borers can be, I would consider contacting an arborist with pest control experience for their advice.

You might also like to check out the discussion in How to treat borers in my apricot tree?

Our wonderful members @Noelle, @Jewelleryrescue have discussed a few options that might be useful for you.

Allow me to also tag, @Dave-1, @mich1972 and @MikeTNZ to see if they know of anything you could try.

Jacob

[Dave-1]

Good Evening @lezasc 

I am afraid I cant recomend any product as havnt tried to remove borers yet. I have pruned branches when I was younger and they went into the red bin just in case. Depending on where the borers are it might be an idea to treat plus trim the viewable branches and place them into the red bin.

Dave

[lezasc]

Hi Jacob, Thanks for your response. Do you have any suggestions for treating borers including insecticides? 

[JacobZ]

Hi @lezasc,

Unfortunately, there is not one solve all because there is not just one type of borer.  If you could flush one of the insects out by filling the bore hole with water, then grab a photo of it, I would be better positioned to offer advice on a specific product.

A technique that was recommended by one our knowledgeable members @Adam_W was to use a piece of wire to skewer the borers within their holes. He then suggests that a Pyrethrum spray is effective at killing any that remain. Turn the nozzle to the jet function and flood out the holes.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob