Holes in Trees | Wood-boring Insects | How to Identify Borer Damage and Get Rid of Borers

Small holes in tree trunks are most often caused by wood-boring insects. Borer insects can cause extensive damage to your trees if they are not treated at the right time each year. In this video, our ISA-certified arborist, Jake, explains how to identify borer damage and how to get rid of borer infestations.
Many types of borer insects exist and attack a variety of trees--fruit trees, evergreens, lilac trees, ash trees, birch trees, etc. They create holes in the trunk and main branches of the tree that shed sawdust and that may ooze sap.
To get rid of borer insect infestations, certified tree technicians must apply specialty treatments at the correct time each year. While treatments can effectively eliminate existing infestations, preventative treatments are most effective.
Check out our blog for more information about borers: stewartslawn.c...
Call or text our office at 801-226-2261 for a free quote! Or, visit our website: stewartslawn.c...
Transcript:
Hi, I’m Jake Golding, a certified arborist at Stewart’s. Today we’ll be talking about boring insects. Borers attack various types of trees, for example, fruit trees, lilac ash trees, locust trees, evergreens, along with a few other varieties we find here in Utah. They usually bore into the trunk or branches of the tree throughout the spring or summer to feed and develop, but the exact time frame depends on the type of borer.
Borers create small holes in the trunk and main branches of the tree as they tunnel into the inner parts. Sawdust and dead bugs are usually left behind, and depending on the type of borer, sap may also ooze from the damaged areas. Most borers that attack fruit trees bore into the trunk about a foot above the ground. Species that attack locust, ash, and evergreen trees will enter through large branches or almost any part of the trunk.
We treat a variety of boring insects in the spring and summer by spraying the trunk and branches of the tree so the borers die as they emerge from the tree to mate. If you see borer damage on your trees, call or text our office today for a free quote!
Music: Dance of the Fireflies by Nathan Moore