Outdoor Pest Control - spraying mud on trees

Has anyone ever heard of spraying mud on trees to keep boring insects from destroying the tree??

Hi earthfriendly,
Welcome to the DIY Forums.

This is a concept I have never seen nor heard of. I suppose this might deter a few insects but at the same time may give others a step up into the juicy bark of the tree. In MY OPINION this could potentially cause new and disasterious problems as the mud could contain potentially dangerous fungi. This would also prevent the bark from drying to protect the tree. The bark of a tree acts as a "armor" to prevent damage by the elements.

I would leave the mud where it belongs, in the ground.

Good luck with your projects.

I have not heard of spraying mud on trees for any such purpose, but the first thing I would do is identify the insect that is boring and then go the the local agricultural extension office for advice. In fact, they may even be able to help you identify the borer. In most cases, borers do not attack till the tree is damaged by some other cause such as a freeze that follows a very warm day, drought stress, drowning stress, crowding stress or any of numerous other causes. If you are talking about pine borers, they are in a category of their own. Talk to your local agricultural extension agent.

W.A. McCormick

As indicated, mud spray is not an approved control method on tree trunks unless the Dept. or Agriculture has promoted such method since my training with them. Internet research promotes no such control methods and effects would tend to defy the health of trees based on my 101 biology classes. If you have a specific pest problem that you can identify or require identification by the Dept. of Agriculture Extension Agent then you need to contact your local pro for identification and control measures.