Crabapple Borer Treatment and Recovery

Small trunk holes on your crabapple likely indicate borer activity. Plastic trunk guards can trap moisture, creating favorable conditions for borers and fungal issues.

Integrated Treatment

1. Trunk spray: Imidacloprid (Merit) kills active larvae
2. Soil drench: Same product for systemic protection
3. Fertilization: 10-10-10 at 1 lb per inch trunk diameter (fall and spring)
4. No wound sealants: They trap pathogens, delay healing

Guard Management

• Remove plastic drain pipe permanently
• Use hardware cloth cylinders if rodent protection needed
• Maintain 6" gap between guard and trunk
• Monitor for new holes annually

Healthy, vigorous crabapples resist borers through sap pressure. Fertilization boosts this natural defense while imidacloprid handles current infestation.