Roundheaded Borers in North Texas: How They Kill Trees (and How to Stop Them)
If your trees are suddenly declining, showing dieback, or developing strange holes in the trunk… you may be dealing with roundheaded borers—one of the most destructive (and often overlooked) tree pests in North Texas.
For homeowners in Carrollton, Addison, Farmers Branch, and Dallas, these pests can quietly destroy trees from the inside out before you even realize there’s a problem.
What Are Roundheaded Borers?
Roundheaded borers are the larval stage of longhorn beetles. These insects lay eggs on trees, and once the larvae hatch, they begin tunneling deep into the wood.
Unlike surface pests, these borers:
- Live inside the tree
- Feed on internal tissue
- Disrupt water and nutrient flow
By the time you notice damage, they’ve often been active for months.
Why Roundheaded Borers Are a Big Problem in Texas
North Texas conditions actually make trees more vulnerable to borers.
Common risk factors:
- Heat stress (100°+ summers)
- Drought conditions
- Poor soil health
- Overwatering or underwatering
- Construction damage to roots
Stressed trees release chemicals that actually attract borers, making your yard a target.
Signs You Have Roundheaded Borers
Look for these warning signs:
1. Small Round Holes in the Trunk
- About pencil-sized
- Often clustered
2. Sawdust-Like Material (Frass)
- Found at the base of the tree
- Looks like wood shavings
3. Tree Dieback
- Thinning canopy
- Dead branches at the top
4. Sap or Oozing Bark
- Tree trying to defend itself
Why Borers Kill Trees So Quickly
Roundheaded borers attack the vascular system of the tree.
They destroy:
- Xylem (water transport)
- Phloem (nutrient transport)
Once enough damage occurs, the tree essentially:
starves and dehydrates at the same time
By the time symptoms are obvious, the damage is often severe.
Trees Commonly Attacked in North Texas
These borers don’t just target one species.
High-risk trees include:
- Oak trees
- Ash trees
- Elm trees
- Pecan trees
- Fruit trees
- Newly planted trees
Newly installed landscaping is especially vulnerable.
How to Prevent Roundheaded Borers
Prevention is everything with borers.
1. Keep Trees Healthy
- Proper watering schedule
- Seasonal fertilization
- Soil health management
2. Avoid Tree Stress
- Don’t damage roots
- Protect trunks from lawn equipment
3. Apply Preventative Treatments
- Systemic insecticides
- Seasonal protection programs
How Titan Pest Defense Protects Your Trees
At Titan Pest Defense, we take a proactive, exterior-first approach to tree and lawn health.
We don’t just treat the problem—we eliminate the conditions that attract it.
Our Tree & Shrub Protection Includes:
- Preventative borer treatments
- Seasonal insect control
- Fertilization for tree strength
- Lawn + tree ecosystem balance
👉 This ties directly into our lawn care programs, because unhealthy lawns = stressed trees = more pests.
Roundheaded Borers in Carrollton & North Dallas
Homeowners in:
- Carrollton
- Addison
- Farmers Branch
- North Dallas
…are especially at risk due to:
- Clay-heavy soils
- Heat stress
- Dense HOA landscaping
👉 This is why we focus heavily on preventative tree care programs in these areas.
If you’re seeing signs of tree damage—or just want to protect your investment—now is the time to act.
Don’t wait until your tree is beyond saving.
👉 Titan Pest Defense offers professional tree and shrub protection programs designed specifically for North Texas conditions.
