Does anyone know if there is a way of attracting the iris borer moths & destroying them or putting up a physical barrier to prevent them from laying eggs on the iris leaves? I have read that they fly & mate at night at this time of year in the northeast.
Cayuga Morning: try going to irisgarden.org for some helpful into on controlling them. Several years ago I had gotten some Iris's from my mom that were infested with them. I put the bare root plants in a bucket with diazanon crystals diluted in the water for 2 days. Then took them out, cut the leaves back, planted them and they have been bug free so far. A poison that goes up into the plant threw the roots would work. But I am always concerned for the wildlife that might feed on the flowers in the summer possibly being poisoned. Hope that helps.
Thanks Tooty. I have read that cleaning up around the iris plants in the fall helps, as does cutting back the leaves in the fall. There are supposed to be 2 nemotodes that will reduce them too if applied in the spring. You're also supposed to be able to squoosh them in the leaves before they bore down too far. I will try all of these methods.
