Dogwood borers (Synanthedon scitula) primarily attack flowering dogwood trees. These small moths burrow into the bark and feed on the cambium layer, which can cause significant damage and even tree death if infestations are severe. For that reason, it is important to monitor and treat for dogwood borers attentively.
Of course, prevention and treatment for dogwood borer is included in a Plant Health Care subscription from Arborscapes. (As are myriad other pests and diseases) If you would like to become a part of our Plant Health Care program, reach out to Arborscapes today! Your living landscape will be the envy of the entire neighborhood!
Here’s a comprehensive guide on managing and treating dogwood borer infestations:
Cultural and Physical Controls:
- Avoid Mechanical Injury: Dogwood borers often enter trees through wounds. Avoid causing mechanical injuries with lawn mowers, weed eaters, or other gardening tools.
- Tree Health: Ensure that your dogwood trees remain healthy and vigorous. Well-maintained trees are less susceptible to borer infestations.
- Prune away and dispose of infested limbs.
- Insecticides: Apply insecticides labeled for borers, such as those containing permethrin or bifenthrin, to the trunk and main limbs of the dogwood. The best time for application is in late spring or early summer when adult moths are laying eggs.
- Prune and Destroy: Cut out and destroy infested branches or bark areas, ensuring you reach all larvae or pupae.
- Clean Surroundings: Clear and dispose of any fallen bark or wood around the tree. This removes potential hiding places for the borers and prevents re-infestation.
- Organic Mulch: Apply a layer of organic mulch around the base of the tree. This will not only help in retaining soil moisture and controlling weeds but also serves to protect the tree’s base from mechanical injuries.
- Regularly inspect the bark of your dogwood trees for signs of borer activity, such as frass (sawdust-like excrement), borer holes, or oozing sap.
Consider Resistant Varieties:
- If you’re planting new dogwoods, consider varieties that are less susceptible to borer infestations. Consult local nurseries or extension services for recommendations tailored to your area.
Remember always to read and follow label instructions when applying insecticides. Moreover, consider the potential impacts on beneficial insects, pollinators, and the surrounding environment. A combination of preventive measures and timely interventions will provide the best protection against dogwood borers.
You can learn more about the dogwood borer at NC State’s website.
And if all of this sounds like too much work, contact Arborscapes to subscribe to our Plant Health Care program, and we will take care of this, other pests, fertilization and health concerns for your living landscape!
Chris is a Board Certified Master Arborist, Tree Risk Assessment Qualified, a North Carolina Licensed Landscape Contractor, Registered Consulting Arborist and a member of the American Society of Consulting Arborists. He has has 20+ years of experience in the industry, and currently serves as Vice President of the Southern Chapter of the ISA.
Mnyama anayeitwa Synanthedon scitula hushambulia hasa miti ya dogwood inayositawi. Nondo hao wadogo huingia ndani ya magamba ya miti na kula tabaka la cambium, jambo linaloweza kuharibu sana na hata kuua miti ikiwa ni hatari sana. Kwa sababu hiyo, ni muhimu kuchunguza na kutibu kwa uangalifu wadudu hao. Bila shaka, kuzuia na kutibu mdudu anayeitwa dogwood borer ni sehemu ya mkataba wa Arborscapes wa kutunza afya ya mimea. Kama unajua, kuna aina nyingi za magonjwa na wadudu, kwa hivyo ikiwa unataka kushiriki katika mpango wa afya ya mimea, tafadhali wasiliana na Arborscape leo. Eneo lako la kuishi litakuwa wivu wa jirani nzima! Hapa ni mwongozo wa kina juu ya usimamizi na matibabu ya maambukizi ya dogwood borer: Udhibiti wa Utamaduni na Kimwili: - Kuepuka Majeraha ya Mechanical: Dogwood borers mara nyingi huingia miti kupitia majeraha. Epuka kusababisha majeraha ya kiufundi kwa kutumia mashine za kukata nyasi, mashine za kula magugu, au vifaa vingine vya kutunza bustani. - Afya ya Mti: Hakikisha kwamba miti yako ya dogwood inabaki kuwa na afya na nguvu. Miti inayotunzwa vizuri haipatikani sana na wadudu hao. - Punguza na kuondoa viungo vilivyoambukizwa. - Dawa za kuua wadudu: Tumia dawa za kuua wadudu zilizoandikwa kwa ajili ya wadudu, kama vile zile zenye permethrin au bifenthrin, kwenye shina na viungo vikuu vya mti wa dogwood. Wakati mzuri wa kutumia dawa hiyo ni mwishoni mwa majira ya kuchipua au mwanzoni mwa majira ya kiangazi wakati nondo wazima wanapokuwa wakitoa mayai. - Kupogoa na Kuangamiza: Kata na kuharibu matawi yaliyoambukizwa au maeneo ya magamba, kuhakikisha unafikia mabuu yote au pupae. - Usafi wa Mazingira: Ondoa na kuondoa magamba au mbao zilizoporomoka kuzunguka mti. Hilo huondoa mahali pa kujificha pa wadudu hao na kuzuia kuambukizwa tena. - Mulch Organic: Tumia safu ya mulch ya kikaboni kuzunguka msingi wa mti. Hii itasaidia tu katika kuhifadhi unyevu wa udongo na kudhibiti magugu lakini pia hutumika kulinda msingi wa mti kutoka kwa majeraha ya mitambo. - Chunguza kwa ukawaida ganda la miti yako ya dogwood ili uone ikiwa kuna dalili za utendaji wa chombo hicho, kama vile uchafu (mchanganyiko unaofanana na mchanga), mashimo ya chombo hicho, au maji yanayotiririka. Fikiria Aina za Mimea Inayostahimili Mvua: - Ikiwa unapanda miti mipya ya mti wa dogwood, fikiria aina ambazo hazina uwezekano mkubwa wa kuambukizwa na wadudu. Tafadhali wasiliana na huduma za ziada za ziada za ziada za ziada za ziada kwa ajili ya mapendekezo ya ziada ya ziada ya ziada ya ziada ya ziada ya ziada ya ziada. Sikuzote kumbuka kusoma na kufuata maagizo ya lebo unapotumia dawa za kuua wadudu. Isitoshe, fikiria athari zinazoweza kuwapo kwa wadudu wenye manufaa, wavuvi, na mazingira yanayozunguka. Mchanganyiko wa hatua za kuzuia na kuingilia kati kwa wakati unaofaa utatoa ulinzi bora dhidi ya wadudu hao. Unaweza kujifunza zaidi kuhusu dogwood borer katika NC State's tovuti. Ikiwa yote haya yanaonekana kama kazi nyingi sana, wasiliana na Arborscapes ili uandikishe programu yetu ya Huduma ya Afya ya Mimea, na tutachukua huduma ya wadudu wengine, mbolea na wasiwasi wa afya kwa mazingira yako ya kuishi. Yeye ni Mwalimu wa Arborist, Mtaalam wa Uhakiki wa Hatari ya Mti, Mjenzi wa Mazingira wa North Carolina, Mshauri wa Arborist, na mwanachama wa Chama cha Marekani cha Arborists. Ana uzoefu wa miaka 20 katika sekta ya teknolojia na sasa ni Makamu wa Rais wa ISA.