A new cure for peachtree borers

[jajbellsouthnet]

After battling peachtree borers for 20 years and having only moderate success, I might have stumbled onto something that really works. To enough good quality (the cheap stuff doesn't weather well) exterior white latex paint add enough insect-grade diatomaceous earth to produce a mixture that has the consistency of thin oatmeal. Remove the earth at the base of the tree to the point that you encounter roots. Brush off any dirt and paint the trunk with a heavy coat from the roots up to the first branches. While the paint is still wet, use a puffer to blow dry diatomaceous earth onto the trunk. Spot treat any breaks in the paint caused by growth. This has worked 100% this year. Not ONE borer. Try it, you'll like it.

[gypho]

WOW. Thanks for the tip.

gypho ;D

[bookwormom]

well, halleluja, we brought borers home from the nursery, the apricot trees we bought were infested. I am giving this a try, I will write it in my notebook right away. when is the best time to do that? I have five peachtrees (volunteers) to transplant this fall. Maybe I'll just go ahead and paint them at planting .

Thanks a bunch

[kawalekm]

I haven't tried this but another technique I just read about was to place mothballs against the tree trunk and pile soil on top of them. Wait till the balls have evaporated away and then brush the soil back.