When Do You Spray Pecan Trees for Borers?

Pecan trees may require spring pesticide spraying.

Pecan trees experience more nut-crop losses from insects than disease, making borer pest control important. Since large pecan trees offer a challenge when spraying pesticides, hire a certified commercial pesticide applicator to spray the tree thoroughly.

Timing

The best time to spray for borers occurs right after the pecan tree pollinates, usually in May. Right after pollination, tiny nuts develop on the trees. The newly hatched borer eggs attack the nuts as soon as they form, so spraying should start immediately.

Traps

To determine a more exact time to spray, traps hung on your pecan trees can help. The traps determine when the eggs start to hatch. Since the tiny, newly hatched borers immediately head for the nuts, spray becomes very important in stopping them before they can invade the new nuts.

Spray

Several different types of pesticide sprays may help control borers. Try sprays that offer malathion, carbaryl or spinosad as the effective ingredient.

References

• Texas A&M University Cooperative Extension: Homeowner's Guide to Pests of Peaches, Plums and Pecans

Resources

• University of Florida IFAS Extension: Insect Management in Pecans