Hi Scott-
I've found that the Tanglefoot leaves the bark discolored for years, and I agree with you that it looks less happy.

Last year I tried using the tanglefoot band/tape, and applying the sticky substance to that. I found that because of it's corregated nature, it presses right up against the trunk, and insects couldn't seem to crawl under it (if it was properly applied). My problem was, that I didn't really know how to properly fasten it. The band doesn't stick to itself, so I tried using tanglefoot and some masking tape. As a result, the bands fell off a few months later instead of lasting the 1-2 years that tanglefoot applied directly would have lasted. Perhaps there is a better was to fasten the banding material though?
-Glenn

I have used Tanglefoot directly on Peaches, Plums, Nectarines, Apricot, Apple, Pear trees and Mulberry and Fig trees.

The Pro's
I works.

The Con's
It looks gross.
It discolors the bark.
It gets on me and my tools.
In the Arizona heat it has to be re-applied after 3-4 months.

In two years of use I have not seen any damage done to any tree I have applied it to.

I've been using Tanglefoot for a few years now. Since I'm not clever enough to try and outsmart the manufacturer. I have followed their directions:
"Before applying Tree Tanglefoot, we recommend wrapping the tree trunk with Tanglefoot Banding Material. Banding material extends the life of Tree Tanglefoot, makes removal easy and prevents any possibility of the Tree Tanglefoot staining the trunk of the tree."

The instructions on securing the wrap is as follows:
"Secure wrap by tucking end into the last overlap row, by securing with tape, or by using a small fastener such as a thumb tack or small nail."

Needless to say, I can only address the part of your post directed at applying it correctly. I've never seen ants crawl up under the wrap.

Olpea, I also put it on peach trees for the same reason. I can still see where I put it. My main concern is whether it will damage the tree, I don't really care about the trunk getting stained. Since of the four of us putting it right on the tree have not noticed any lack in vigor I think that means that the staining is the main downside, not reduction in vigor or other more serious problems.

Scott

Scott, we don't put it directly on the bark because it can fry the bark, especially on younger trees, or trees with thinner bark. (It will literally cook the tree bark in our hot So. Cal. sun). We wrap paper trunk wrap, first, then put the tanglefoot on the paper. A bit more of a hassle, but save the tree.

Patty S.

Patty, on my cherries it is right by the base which is the most shady part of the bark so I don't think it will get any direct sun to speak of. On a younger tree I can see how that would be a big problem though.

Scott

I ordered quart Tanglefoot with the paper. Every several years we get heavy infestation of forest caterpillars. A trunk wrap stops most but some repel down from other trees and need to be hand picked off.

I used some Tanglefoot on tree bark to thwart a pesky squirrel. From my bedroom window I'd see him chew branches off my now full grow Italian plum tree. If you have seen squirrels they attack and just destroy fruit. This one also did in the branches and I was tired of picking up the shoes I threw at him. The marauder came into the tree every day until getting a paw full. I saw him flip in the air to the ground and run like hell. Never came back. Dried tanglefoot lasts until the growing branch stretches it away. Folks would say "that tree has black knot", 'Nope' it is dried Tanglefoot!'.

I use it and yes, the trees look like thay have had a terrible fire blight problem. I do have some bark damage on some of the trees, but I have not established a reason. I often wondered if roundup may have caused some of the damage, but now I will take a more careful note of which trees had the tangle foot.

I got some Tanglefoot this year for my apple trees, had a lot of problems with ants last year. I tried attaching bands of saran wrap around the tree trunks and applying the Tanglefoot that way. That was a complete disaster/mess, so I called the Tanglefoot manufacturer and asked if it would harm my trees to apply their product directly to the bark. They said that other than a dark ring/stain around the tree, no, it should not harm the tree at all to be directly applied. So, that is what I did. Did it about a month ago. No signs of any tree trouble yet.

hockingapple-
That's good information... that the manufacture said that it won't cause any problems except for the dark stain. Thanks for passing it on!
-Glenn

Tried tanglefoot for the first time and used flagging tape as the base layer on the bark as recommended and painted on a very thin layer. Got hot out a week later around 35 Celsius and found the tanglefoot got so viscus that it flowed right off the tape and onto the bark. Really disappointed. On top of that, took the tape off and found that the tanglefoot goop went right through it even though it is waterproof tape. Really hope I have not killed my trees.

Ed

On my young fig tanglefoot caused the bark to split and peel. Damaged my fig terribly. Perhaps because it becomes dark and that causes heat. I don't know but I would never risk that. Years later my tree is hard to look at and I know it is weak because of it. Plus it is still stained black. Use a boric acid bait to just flat out kill the ants. You can make it and put it in plastic veggie packages and put them around. My once lovely fig will never be ok.

Ants love sugar. Mix sugar, water, and borax together and soak it up with cotton balls. Place the balls where they would be found, and the ants will eat some of it. The Borax will kill them. 1 cup of water, 1/2 cup sugar, and 2 tablespoons of borax. Worked for me. Safe for birds etc...and people of course.

I had a friend who told me to paint the liquid tangleroot on old light bulbs and hang them in fruit trees to capture the pests!

I wrap the tree with bubble wrap 1st. That seems to fill in the gaps underneath.

Another neat trick I found is apply Pam or generic cooking spray to the bubble wrap if you want to keep the insects at the base of the tree. Then you can suck them up with a vacuum or apply and suck the side.