Around where you found the gum there should be a hole going into your tree. Most times running under the bark in wood you should be able to find the worm. I ,right away as soom as I see this gum, dig that sucker out!!! I use a thin wire that I cork screw the end on to get it out of that tree. Fix up your hole the best you can. Next is the insecticide. and don't forget the borer spay ever again. Remember there fruit trees are candy to all the bugs in your area. You got to keep them at bay>>good luck JOHN

How should I clean and fix the wound? Which insecticide should I use: carbaryl or malathion or both? Should I spray some Captan around the area to keep fungus from invading? Thanks.

Just dig the grubs out and let the tree heal itself.

Re: Carbaryl or Malathion, don't use them for this purpose.

The old standby for peach borers is Lorsban. Unfortunately it requires an applicator's license.

I've seen newsletters also recommending pyrethroids for peach borer control. Not a drench or anything, but simply hitting the trunk when spraying the peaches.

There is a good pyrethoid called Triazicide Once and Done that should work for you in this regard. It is available in season at most big box stores.

The other thing that some use is moth balls around the base of the tree. Not labeled for this use, but a lot of folks have used them nevertheless and had good results.

Painting the trunks w/ white latex may also provide some control.

I dug some more soil away from around the tree this afternoon. Lots of gum. I can't tell if it has wood particles in it because it's leaked into the soil and muddy. It smells somewhat unpleasant, but not putrid. I haven't found any borers or any holes that I could poke a wire into. I found a few fire ants, but I don't know if they're causing damage or maybe just feeding on the gum. There is no noticeable damage above the soil line. I'm no expert, but the tree actually looks healthy to me. Maybe this is just wishful thinking, but is there any such thing as normal bleeding below the soil line?