General Overview
Borers and miners are the larvae of various insects, particularly beetles, flies, and moths. Beetles comprise the largest order of borers. These larvae construct tunnels in terminal shoots, branches, trunks, and roots of woody plants of all sizes. Borers can aesthetically and/or fatally damage shade, ornamental, and fruit trees and shrubs. They are commonly concealed beneath the bark or in the wood, making them difficult to detect and control.
Damage caused by borers often begins in the upper branches of tree crowns and progresses downwards as the tree weakens. Common symptoms include sudden wilting and discoloration of foliage in the tree tops and branch die-back. Infested trees will probably also exhibit D-shaped emergence holes and sinuous or zig-zag patterns in their bark.
Since borers usually prefer to attack weakened trees, good cultural practices that promote high tree vigor and reduce the incidence of disease help to minimize infestations and the resulting damage. Such practices include preventing injury to young trees, watering during dry periods, and appropriate pruning techniques (avoid topping your trees).
Woodpeckers are known to consume borers in large quantities. Attract this natural pest control to your yard by providing suet during cooler months (suet can go rancid in warmer weather and will mat the birds' feathers).
If borer damage occurs, cut and destroy infested wood by chipping or burning. Since infested trees may die during the first season of attack, you may need to consider the use of chemicals to protect particularly valuable trees.