With showy pink flowers and succulent fruit, peach trees (Prunus persica) are both ornamental and practical components in the garden. Hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 8, peach trees are susceptible to frost and several wood-boring insect insects. Established, healthy trees withstand these insects with minimum intervention, but younger or injured peach trees need treatments to remove the insects.
Bacterial Treatment
Peach twig borers (Anarsia lineatella) will be the larvae of a sort of small, light gray moth. These brown striped larvae grow up to 1/2 inch long and assault peach shoots in spring and the fruit in summer. During peach bloom period, spray the tree with Bacillus thuringiensis var. Kurstaki, a natural bacterium that affects the belly of immature insects. Shake that the Btk concentrate and mix 4 teaspoons in 1 gallon of water in a garden sprayer, or follow the directions on the package. Spray all surfaces of the coral tree foliage and repeat the procedure in five to seven days or after heavy rain. Avoid getting the spray in your eyes, wear protective clothing and avoid squeezing the mist.
Parasitic Nematodes
The light brown or pink larvae of this blue and black clearwing moth (Synanthedon exitiosa) are known as peachtree borers. They damage peach tree trunks just above or slightly below the dirt. The parasitic nematode, Steinernema carpocapsae, can be found online and at garden centers, and comes packed in an inert powder or about a sponge. It targets soil-dwelling and surface-living larvae. In a watering can or garden sprayer, mix 1 teaspoon of nematode powder in 1 gallon of water. Evenly cover the ground across the peach tree, shaking the remedy contstantly to stop settling. Keep the area moist for the next seven days to keep your nematodes alive.
Chemical Insecticides
Heavy Risks of American plum borers may cause peach branches to snap off in winds or using the weight of its fruit. These insects are white, green or pink larvae around 1 inch long with dark brown heads. Adults of this American plum borer are gray moths. Orange droppings, called frass, and gummy deposits on the trunk are signals of American plum borers. Sizes young trees with evidence of the pest with carbaryl, sold under the trade name Sevin. To get hose-end sprayers, shake the bottle of carbaryl well then attach your garden hose to the spray nozzle. Use the spray to your peach trunk and limbs in mid-April and then every six weeks. Carbaryl is toxic to beneficial insects, particularly bees. Do not apply when the peach tree is in bloom. Spray on calm days and keep people and pets away until the solution has dried. Wear long trousers, a long-sleeved shirt, sturdy shoes, socks and rubber gloves when applying this chemical and read all safety instructions before you start using it.
Cultural Methods
Since most boring mammals target young, injured or sunburned peach trees, prevent infestations with proper care. Whitewash that the trunks of young trees to reduce sunburn. Mix equal parts of water and white interior latex paint. Paint the peach trunk around approximately 2 feet above ground. Prune and dispose of branches which have evidence of shothole borers, small brown or black beetles that drill holes in coral twigs, bark and branches. Dig just below the soil surface across the trunk to reveal peachtree borers and carefully use a pocket knife to remove them. Drop the insects into a bucket of soapy water to kill them.