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Post by fishindude12 on Aug 16, 2023 6:56:46 GMT -6
I was reading some past threads/posts and a few of them said to paint trunks with white latex (50/50). They said its helps prevent sun scald and protects it against borers? I use the latex to protect against the sun but how does it prevent bores? Maybe the cracks caused by sun scalding?
Thanks
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Post by Sandbur on Aug 16, 2023 7:16:22 GMT -6
I was reading some past threads/posts and a few of them said to paint trunks with white latex (50/50). They said its helps prevent sun scald and protects it against borers? I use the latex to protect against the sun but how does it prevent bores? Maybe the cracks caused by sun scalding? Thanks Stu can chime in on this . He adds some pesticide and some grout to the mix. |
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Post by smsmith on Aug 16, 2023 8:25:40 GMT -6
The only "research" I've seen on the subject is anecdotal. I've seen next to nothing saying that plain latex does anything to deter borers. I have seen some folks saying that borer damage (frass) is easier to spot and then deal with when the trunks are painted white. I've seen limited observations (including my own) saying that a stiff mix of drywall compound and white interior latex slows/helps to prevent borers. Adding a shot of permethrin to the mix can't hurt anything.
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Post by nhmountains on Aug 16, 2023 19:18:08 GMT -6
I spoke to the orchard guy in Vermont. The other recommendation is to spray the trunks and the ground around the trunks at the right time. He says those borers are coming from the ground up so he soaks the trunks and the ground with neem oil in between the rain storms. I forgot the time frame. If he does see frass then he gets a long thin wire and feeds it into the whole to get the grub. He actually has a little hook on the end and can hook them and pull them out.
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Post by smsmith on Aug 17, 2023 6:15:17 GMT -6
I spoke to the orchard guy in Vermont. The other recommendation is to spray the trunks and the ground around the trunks at the right time. He says those borers are coming from the ground up so he soaks the trunks and the ground with neem oil in between the rain storms. I forgot the time frame. If he does see frass then he gets a long thin wire and feeds it into the whole to get the grub. He actually has a little hook on the end and can hook them and pull them out. Neem is what Greenies use. Very little actual research showing it does much of anything for any of the purposes it's used for. I always make it a point to spray the trunks all the way around on younger trees when I'm spraying the leaves/fruit with insecticide/fungicide/sticker-spreader. I've heard of folks using canned air (like you use to clean computers) to nuke borers as well. |
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Post by fishindude12 on Aug 17, 2023 8:20:20 GMT -6
The only time I've have problems with borers is when the tree is already sick/diseased from other factors. I've never tried adding insecticide to the paint mixture, but will be giving it a shot next year. Thanks
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Post by smsmith on Aug 17, 2023 9:38:58 GMT -6
The only time I've have problems with borers is when the tree is already sick/diseased from other factors. I've never tried adding insecticide to the paint mixture, but will be giving it a shot next year. Thanks Drought is a big fruit tree stressor. I had anticipated some borer issues this year, but so far (knock on wood) I've noticed none. |
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Post by nhmountains on Aug 17, 2023 11:30:28 GMT -6
The only time I've have problems with borers is when the tree is already sick/diseased from other factors. I've never tried adding insecticide to the paint mixture, but will be giving it a shot next year. Thanks Be vigilant in looking for frass when you can. Those grubs are in there doing damage without most people noticing. I'm guessing the odds are you'll eventually have some borer damage. |
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