It is easier to look for signs of borers rather than the little insects themselves.

Tree borers are little animals that lay eggs in trees. The larvae hatch and dig into the tree, where they feed on the sap and adult borers emerge. Tree borer infestations can weaken and even kill the tree. Tree borers are found in late springtime or as summer begins. This is when the larvae are active and feeding in the infested tree. The damage they cause is usually not noticed until later in the season, when the leaves of the affected tree begin to turn yellow or brown and drop off. Without treatment there is a chance the tree may die. To prevent a tree borer infestation, keep an eye out for signs of infestation such as a larvae burrow and remove from stressed trees as soon as possible. Cuts in tree bark can provide easy entry for borers. Finally, keep your trees healthy by providing them with proper care and maintenance. This will make them less susceptible to damage from borer larvae or adult beetles. Contact a professional arborist or tree service company for assistance. They can recommend a course of treatment for most borer species. Tree borers are a threat to trees, but with proper care and management, such as early inspection for telltale signs such as borer holes, sawdust-like frass around the tree and cracked bark you can prevent infestation and avoid borers laying eggs.

What do tree borers look like?

It is easier to look for signs of borers rather than the little insects themselves. Tree borer larvae are whitish, legless little insects. Adult tree borers are very small and look like little long beetles or ants.

How do I prevent tree borers?

Keep your trees healthy by providing them with proper care and maintenance. This will make them less susceptible to damage from pests.

Tree borers are a serious threat to trees, but with proper care and management, you can avoid destructive pests such as the longhorn beetle, clearwing borers and other wood moths. If a tree is infested, you may have to remove it.

How long do tree borers live?

Tree borers only live for one generation or life cycle, meaning that they will lay their eggs on trees, tree trunks or healthy plants and then die. The young larvae will hatch and bore tiny holes into the tree, where they will feed on the oozing sap, leading to damaged trees.

Can tree borers kill a gum tree?

Yes, tree borers and common borers can kill a gum tree. Gum trees are particularly susceptible to damage from these insects because of their soft bark. The larvae of the insect bore into the tree and feed on the sap, which can weaken and kill the tree. If you think your gum tree has been infested with tree borers, contact a professional arborist or tree service company for assistance. They can help you identify the problem and recommend a course of treatment. The issue may require a soil injection or soil treatment, pheromone lures, insecticide sprays or systemic insecticide. If the tree is young you may consider replacing it with a smaller evergreen.

Where do tree borers live?

Tree borer larvae hatch and bore into the tree, where they feed on the sap. Damage from borer activity is usually not noticed until later in the season, when the leaves of the affected tree begin to turn yellow or brown and drop off. In severe cases, the entire tree may die or you may have to pay to have it removed.

Are there any natural predators of tree borers?

There are some parasites and predators that eat tree borers, like clearwing moths, but they are not very effective at controlling the population. The Queensland Government has some handy information on clearwing borers.

One example is the braconid wasp, which lays its eggs inside the tree borer. When the wasp larvae hatch, they eat the wood borers from the inside out. However, there are so many different kinds of tree borers that it is difficult for any one predator to have a significant impact on the population. Contact insecticide and systemic insecticides may wipe out future infestations. Some fertilisers for citrus trees may help curb infestation.

Can tree borers infect a wooden house?

No, tree borers cannot infect a wooden house. These insects only attack living trees. They do not bore into wood that has been cut or made into lumber. If you have a wooden house, you do not need to worry about tree borers causing any damage.