How To Get Rid Of Dogwood Borers

You can get rid of dogwood borers by combining preventive care, physical removal, and targeted insecticide treatments at the right time of year.
 
If you’ve noticed sawdust-like frass around the base of your dogwood tree or small holes in the bark, you’re likely dealing with these destructive pests.
 
Getting rid of dogwood borers isn’t a one-and-done task, but with a consistent strategy, you can save your tree and keep it healthy for years.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through how to get rid of dogwood borers, the best methods to stop them, and how to prevent future infestations from taking hold.
 
Let’s dig into the details so your dogwood can thrive again.
 

Why Getting Rid Of Dogwood Borers Requires A Multi-Step Approach

Dogwood borers are the larvae of a clearwing moth, and they tunnel into the bark and cambium layer of your tree.
 
Getting rid of dogwood borers effectively means you have to address both the active larvae inside the tree and the adult moths that will keep laying eggs.
 
A single method rarely works because these borers spend most of their life hidden beneath the bark, out of reach of surface sprays.
 
So, you’ll need to combine cultural practices, physical controls, and chemical options to truly get rid of dogwood borers.
 
The good news is that dogwoods are resilient, and with early action, you can stop the damage before it’s fatal.
 

1. Start With Proper Watering And Mulching To Reduce Stress

Healthy trees are far less attractive to borers, so your first step in getting rid of dogwood borers is to boost your tree’s vigor.
 
Water your dogwood deeply once a week during dry spells, especially in the heat of summer.
 
Apply a 2-to-3-inch layer of organic mulch around the base, but keep it a few inches away from the trunk itself.
 
Avoid wounding the bark with lawn mowers or string trimmers, as those injuries are exactly where female moths love to lay eggs.
 
When you reduce stress, your tree produces more defensive compounds that can resist borer attacks naturally.
 

2. Physically Remove Larvae And Damaged Bark

If you can see the entry holes, you can manually remove the larvae to help get rid of dogwood borers quickly.
 
Use a sharp, sterile knife to carefully probe into the hole and extract the caterpillar if it’s near the surface.
 
You can also gently scrape away loose, dead bark around the wound to expose tunnels and remove any pupae.
 
After you’ve cleaned the area, let it dry out naturally, as moisture trapped under bark attracts more borers.
 
For severe infestations, you may need to cut out entire sections of damaged bark, but be careful not to girdle the trunk.
 
This physical method works best in early spring or late fall when larvae are less active and closer to the surface.
 

3. Apply An Insecticide Drench To The Trunk And Lower Branches

When infestations are widespread, chemical control becomes necessary for getting rid of dogwood borers.
 
The most effective time to spray is in late spring to early summer, when adult moths are actively flying and laying eggs.
 
Use a product containing permethrin, bifenthrin, or carbaryl, and apply it thoroughly to the trunk, lower limbs, and any wounds.
 
You’ll need to cover the bark completely, as the insecticide creates a protective barrier that kills larvae as they try to bore in.
 
Repeat the application every 2 to 3 weeks during the moth flight period, which typically lasts from May through July.
 
For a more systemic approach, you can use a soil drench with imidacloprid, which the tree absorbs and transports to the bark.
 
This systemic option is great for getting rid of dogwood borers that are already inside, as they ingest the chemical while feeding.
 
Just remember to always follow the label instructions carefully and avoid spraying during bloom to protect pollinators.
 

4. Prune Out Infested Branches And Dispose Of Them Properly

Dogwood borers often start in the lower trunk, but they can also attack branches that have been pruned or damaged.
 
Inspect your tree for branches with wilting leaves, dieback, or visible borer holes, and prune them out promptly.
 
Cut at least 6 inches below the visible damage to ensure you remove all the larvae inside.
 
After pruning, seal the wound with a pruning paint or tree wound dressing to prevent adult moths from laying eggs there.
 
Do not compost the infested branches, as the larvae can survive and emerge as adults later.
 
Instead, bag them up and dispose of them in the trash or burn them if local regulations allow.
 
By removing these breeding sites, you’ll dramatically reduce the next generation of borers and make getting rid of dogwood borers much easier.
 

5. Use Pheromone Traps To Monitor And Reduce Moth Populations

Pheromone traps are a clever tool that can help you get rid of dogwood borers by disrupting their mating cycle.
 
These traps contain a synthetic version of the female moth’s sex pheromone, which attracts male moths.
 
When males fly into the trap, they get stuck on the sticky interior and die before they can mate.
 
Hang one or two traps in your dogwood tree in late April, and check them weekly through August.
 
This not only reduces the number of fertilized eggs but also tells you when the peak moth flight is happening.
 
Once you see a spike in trap catches, that’s your signal to apply your insecticide spray for maximum effectiveness.
 
While traps alone won’t completely get rid of dogwood borers, they’re a fantastic part of an integrated pest management plan.
 

Preventing Future Infestations Is Half The Battle

Once you’ve managed the current outbreak, your focus should shift to prevention so you don’t have to deal with these pests again.
 
Getting rid of dogwood borers is temporary if you don’t change the conditions that attracted them in the first place.
 
Here’s what you can do to keep your tree borer-free moving forward:
 

Avoid Trunk Wounds At All Costs

The single biggest invitation for dogwood borers is any injury to the bark.
 
Keep mowers and trimmers well away from the trunk, and use a mulch ring instead of grass right up to the base.
 
If you prune, do it in late fall or winter when adult moths are not active, and always clean your tools between cuts.
 

Fertilize Sparingly And Only When Needed

Over-fertilizing with high-nitrogen products can create lush, fast-growing bark that attracts borers.
 
Instead, use a slow-release fertilizer formulated for trees, and only apply it in early spring if your soil test shows a deficiency.
 
A balanced, steady growth rate keeps the bark tough and less appealing to egg-laying moths.
 

Keep The Tree Base Dry And Well-Aerated

Dogwood borers love damp, shady conditions at the base of the tree.
 
Prune lower branches to improve air circulation, and avoid overwatering that leaves the soil soggy.
 
If you have irrigation, make sure it’s not constantly splashing water against the trunk.
 
Dry bark is your best defense, as it makes it much harder for larvae to survive after hatching.
 

So, How Do You Get Rid Of Dogwood Borers?

You get rid of dogwood borers by combining cultural care, physical removal, and timed insecticide applications.
 
The process isn’t instant, but with patience and consistency, you can clear out the larvae and stop new moths from laying eggs.
 
Start by reducing stress through proper watering and mulching, then manually probe and clean any visible holes.
 
Spray the trunk and lower branches with a residual insecticide during the adult flight period, and hang pheromone traps to cut down on mating.
 
Prune out heavily infested wood, seal wounds, and dispose of debris far from your tree.
 
Finally, protect your tree from future wounds and keep its environment as dry and healthy as possible.
 
Getting rid of dogwood borers takes effort, but your tree will reward you with beautiful blooms and strong growth for many seasons to come.
 
Stick with this plan, monitor your tree regularly, and you’ll keep those borers out for good.