What is safe to use to rid silver maple tree borers
Answer
Eileen, are you sure they are borers and not carpenter ants? In any event, a product containing neem is less toxic. If there are borer holes, stick a flexible wire or skewer up and down the tunnel in the tree, trying to poke the borer, for about 2 inches. Then spray the product generously in the hole and plug it up with caulk or some similar product. Or if you can get a tube with neem or similar in it squeeze it in and plug the hole. Be sure you wear gloves and don't inhale the product or get it on your skin. A nontoxic product for carpenter ants is diotomaceous earth, available from some hardware stores and garden centers. Apply it around and on the tree. It has very sharp edges and cuts the exoskeleton of a hard bodied insect. It takes quite a few days to work but is fairly effective. Thank you for contacting PHS. ep