Stu from Phoenix, Az writes
My pine trees have rings ion the bark where borers have penetrated. A big problem here in the Southwest. Will this product kill the borers? How about the Fertilome Borer, Bagworm etc product?
Fertilome Tree and Shrub Systemic Insect Drench will not help prevent pine borers. Infected trees should be cut down (before the newly hatched beetles fly out of the trees in the spring/summer) and the wood burned or chipped, while other still healthy trees should be sprayed annually to protect them. Because of the natural boring behavior of the beetle they are protected from topically applied insecticides and systemic insecticides (those injected into the tree or applied as a root drench) have proven ineffective for pine beetle infestations. Healthy trees can be protected before the beetles attack by topically spraying them with a product called Permethrin SFR. The tree should be sprayed from the ground to 15 ft up the trunk to prevent future infestations.
Answer last updated on: 03/14/2014
