Flat head borers are amongst the more common wood boring beetles found throughout North America. They'll commonly infest most any hard wood but some species prefer to target and focus in on the same species if readily available in one region. From what you're seeing, it sounds like there is some kind of borer involved here which can be treated but since it's infested both pear and apple trees, I'd make sure they're not more distributed throughout the landscape.

The simplest option is to treat the trunk of any pear or apple tree you want to protect with some CYPERMETHRIN. It's got a general label that allows for trees to be treated for boring beetles and will work on anything that attempts to live on treated surfaces. Use a standard PUMP SPRAYER or HOSE END SPRAYER to apply the Cypermethrin and if you infected trees every month for 3-6 months, the problem should subside.

If the infestation is severe enough, get some CYKICK AEROSOL too. It comes with an injecting straw that enables you to direct treatments into the little galleries and tunnels which otherwise might not absorb the Cypermethrin enough. Cykick will kill on contact but not last as long as the Cypermethrin. But for severe infestations, treating with both is suggested.

Lastly, be sure to spray other non infected trees every 36 months – especially in the spring – to prevent the spread of this pest. Trees can take some damage and not show signs anything is happening which means a lot of flat head borers can infest one before you know anything is happening. Simply treating your pear and apple trees periodically during the year can help prevent any major damage and keep flat hear borers under control.

Here are direct links to the information and products listed above:

Cypermethrin:  http://www.bugspraycart.com/insecticide/liquid/viper-cypermethrin

Pump Sprayer:  http://www.bugspraycart.com/equipment/sprayers/eliminator-gallon-sprayer

Hose End Sprayer:  http://www.bugspraycart.com/equipment/sprayers/gilmour-20g-390

Cykick:  http://www.bugspraycart.com/insecticide/aerosol/pt-cykick-17-5-oz

You could but it wouldn't be the best treatment option for several reasons. If you read our POWDER POST BEETLE CONTROL ARTICLE, you'll note we don't list Cypermethrin as a recommended product to use. This is because it won't penetrate the wood being treated nor will it last long. As our article explains, the larvae of the beetles are what's eating it. To get control of the problem, you need to use a product that will both penetrate through and through as well as last a good long time. Though Cypermethrin can be used for shallow living wood boring pests, it's not designed to get deep into the wood grain which is where most powder post beetle larvae will be living.

We do suggest BORACARE to be used for this type of application as it will definitely penetrate and last many years. A good treatment will not only kill the active larvae but will also embed the wood so no other wood destroying organism's can move in.

Here are direct links to the information and products listed above:

Powder Post Beetle Control Article:  http://www.powderpostbeetles.com/powderpost-beetle-control

Boracare:  http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page52.html

Cypermethrin:  http://www.bugspray.com/item/455864.html

I am in desperate need of some advice, please! This is a Willow tree located near Brenham Texas about 90 miles NW of Houston Texas.  I have confirmed the other huge branch of this Willow tree has “flathead borers” and ½ the trunk broke off already……..now I have discovered these little boogers!  Just beneath the bark you find these borers…..they start boring from their rear end while the head is hanging out.  I pulled a few OUT with effort and noticed they had bored in the tree about ¼ to ½ inch. What are these little boogers and how on earth do I kill them?  Keep in mind the other big branch has flat head borers. This Willow sits in front of the ranch house so I’d like to SAVE it! Also will these borers fly, move to other trees?  Please help as with in 3-4 weeks part of the other big branch has broken in half……..I’m just sick over this tree and want to save it so please send some advice/instructions. I thank you in advance.

There are many insects that will bore into trees. Flathead borers, pine borers, longhorn beetles – the list is never ending. Because there are so many it's sometimes hard to know just which might be active – especially when looking at larval or young stages. Such is the case here. I'm not sure what you have boring but I'm sure of something that will take care of the problem immediately and save your willow.

Our CYPERMETHRIN is labeled for use on plants and trees for any type of wood beetle or borer. I'm sure it will quickly control anything you have in the tree as well as the flatheads you know are active. Saturate the trunk and branches where you see the activity. You can use a good PUMP SPRAYER to apply it but a HOSE END SPRAYER is easier. Be sure to treat any other trees you want to protect; a good coating of Cypermethrin will both repel and kill any that attempt to drill.

Lastly, consider keeping a can of PT-CYKICK around for spot treatments if needed. Any holes you see can be treated on the spot with a quick blast. It's labeled for use on trees and will provide a quick kill should you find new activity in between liquid applications.

Here are direct links to the information and products listed above:

Cypermethrin:   http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page1333.html

Pump Sprayers:  http://www.gotosprayer.com/sprayers/pump-sprayers/one-gallon-eliminator

Hose End Sprayer:  http://www.gotosprayer.com/sprayers/hose-end-sprayers/gilmour-six-gallon-hose-end-385

PT-Cykick:  http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page1336.html