Borers - please help

We have some unique pests to deal with in Australia. Post your experiences and treatments here for others to learn from.
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Steve Warren
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Borers - please help

Post by Steve Warren »

I have found a borer in a collected Lepto. I have. I have searched in pest and diseases and while there is plenty of comments re, borers I could not find anyone suggesting a solution. Could someone please tell me the best way to kill the borer without killing the tree.

Cheers

Steve W
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Re: Borers - please help

Post by Pup »

When I have had them which is rare in healthy well grown plants, the use of the old blowtorch around the area has got rid of them.

Be careful with it though as the flame can burn other parts of the tree.

Failing that a good poke around with stiff wire and some insecticide down the hole.

Cheers Pup
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Re: Borers - please help

Post by Jester »

Try getting a syringe and pumping the hole with methylated spirits
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Re: Borers - please help

Post by Watto »

I would recommend a piece if wire "up the hole" in an attempt to kill the critter. Then a spray up the hole with a toxic chemical called Roger (available at most nursery's) and then seal the hole with sealing paste.
At times they are difficult, but general good maintenance and good fertilising will prevent a lot of borer activity.
Good luck.
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Re: Borers - please help

Post by bamboos »

As everyone else has said a piece of thin wire worked up into the hole if you manage to kill the borer then the end of the wire is "juicy"when you pull it out. Then i spray with a can of baygon surface spray --works most times. Failing all else get out the dremel and go for it!
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Re: Borers - please help

Post by Handy Mick »

Watto suggested Rogor to me last year when on a dig, as a English elm I dug had borer.
I just sprayed the area and they are gone. Worked very well.

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Steve Warren
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Re: Borers - please help

Post by Steve Warren »

Thank you every one for your advice. I was worried about using bug spray or metho on plants but now I know its okay ill kill the little bugger tomorrow.

Thanks yo all again.
Its nice to know I can rely on you lot for help.

Cheers Steve
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Re: Borers - please help

Post by shanemartin »

I have just had borer attacking a Murraya hedge we started 14 years ago. It's been powering for years but a few months ago started noticing large branches dying and a couple of the large trees completely gone down to the stump. I've cut all the dead pieces out and used Confidor on all the borer holes i found and also poked wire down the holes to make sure the borer was killed. More Confidor a couple of weeks later, a good healthy prune, and everything is shooting like crazy.
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