4 N. J. Agricultural Experiment Stations Circular 156 



"Worming" Process 



Before the discovery of para-dichlorobenzene as a control measure for 

 the peach-tree borer the "worming" process or "worming" was considered 

 by entomologists and most fruit growers as the best procedure for com- 

 bating the pest. There are good, bad and indifferent methods of "worm- 

 ing." Personal observation and considerable experience in the removal of 

 borers from peach trees convinces the author that the following method is 

 satisfactory and much more efficient than some methods he has seen. 



If an orchard is heavily infested the trees should be "wormed" twice a 

 year — in the fall, late in September or during October, and in the spring, 

 during April and May. In the fall the majority of the larvae are small, 

 difficult to see and are located on the outside of the tree or in shallow 

 channels, while in the spring the larvae are larger, easy to see, and usually 

 located deeper in the tree. Removal of the larvae in the fall protects the 

 tree from injury until the next brood appears, yet the larvae are small and 

 one must have good eyes to see them. 



The first step in the "worming" process is the removal of enough soil 

 from about the tree to expose the trunk and the upper portion of the large 

 roots. A hoe or some similar tool is most satisfactory for this. As the dirt 

 is taken away all excess masses of gum on and about the trunk should be 

 removed. This may be done with a small hand trowel. Any larvae found 

 at this time should be killed but no serious attempt should be made to kill the 

 borers within the tree when the soil is removed. Permit the trees to stand 

 open for a period of 7 to 10 days. During this interval the larvae within 

 the trees will continue to feed and masses of gum containing sawdust-like 

 particles will exude from the trunk near the location of each larva. These 

 exudations of gum serve as guides to the location of the larvae and digging 

 near these points only will eliminate a great deal of unnecessary and harm- 

 ful cutting. 



When the trees are ready for "worming" the worker should be equipped 

 with a hand soil-digging tool (the author prefers a narrow strong trowel), 

 a strong sharp-pointed knife with one non-jointed blade, and a stiff wire 

 (4 to 6 inches long and 3/16 to % inch thick) pointed and slightly bent at 

 the end and mounted in a wooden handle. The trowel is used to remove 

 excessive masses of gum, large pieces of dead bark, and for digging out any 

 soil which may cover some of the infestations located low in the tree. The 

 knife is used to cut the bark and open up a cavity sufficiently large to see 

 or locate the borer. In using the knife, so far as possible, always cut up and 

 down on the trunk. Make as few horizontal cuts as possible. Numerous 

 or long horizontal cuts will girdle the tree. After the larva is located kill 

 it with the knife blade or use the sharp pointed stiff wire. Use the wire as 

 often as possible for it eliminates unnecessary and dangerous cutting. 



After the trees have been examined and wormed once permit them to 

 stand for 7 days and then repeat the examination and "worming." Two 

 examinations or "wormings" are entirely worth while. At the first "worm- 

 ing" the average person will remove only 40 to 60 per cent of the borers 

 and on the second "worming" most of those missed the first time can be 



