Thank you. I have in my Amazon shopping cart some permethrin spray.

Should I spray my baby lilacs too, that I just planted? They're only about 9 inches tall. I don't know if that makes them more or less attractive to lilac borers. I am very grateful for your response.

Why are you spraying anything for a pest you don't have?

After you see the pest, then you can worry about spraying for it. Or not, depending on the pest.

Not with lilac borers. Spraying to prevent lilac borers has to be done specifically between May 8 - 12.

This is one bug that is much easier to prevent than treat. And I have invested a lot of time, effort and money into my 35 lilacs. You can bet I am going to protect that investment.

It's no different than getting a flu or pneumonia shot, or taking vitamins or taking a daily baby aspirin. I am not worried, I am just being proactive.

timing is somewhat dependent on how the season goes .... i would say.. in my MI... we are 4 to 5 weeks ahead of schedule with many plants ...i guess i would think its the same for seasonal bug evolution ...

where did you get your info.. with those precise dates??

of all the things that i wouldnt waste money spending money on ... treating Ls would be high on my list ...

but then.. maybe i dont love my plants like you do.. lol ...i roll more with benign neglect after watering for the year of planting ...

ken

ps: olives... they line the rural byways .. and can get HUGE ... upwards of 1o to 15 to 20 feet tall and wide ... and they are taking over those easements due to birds ...

Permethrin is highly toxic to bees -- just so that you're aware. We spray Sawyer's on out pant legs and socks to help prevent deer ticks on us. When we treat our clothing outdoors, we are careful not to have any spray land or drift to any area with blooms.