Yes, it does help for borers, although, the "best" organic borer control(according to the "experts") is the use of beneficial nematodes . I "installed" the "milky spore" in both veggie gardens , a few years ago....hoping to have some control over the iris borers in the "edge of garden" plantings , as well as hoping for some control of squash vine borers.....and I think it IS helping....not a "total cure", though
. As far as the fruit trees (or berry plants, etc.) ...as long as the insecticide you use isn't"systemic", you should be safe. I use a "systemic" as a spring application in the iris beds, but the lawn areas get....and I'm probably spelling it wrong..."diazinon"...grubs, fleas, ants, wire worms, and a few others are the targeted insects....it's NOT systemic, so plants don't take it up,through the roots.
With having the honey bees......we're up to about 15 hives , here, now......I try to be extra careful about which sprays, and chemicals, I use, as well as WHEN I use them. If you contact your County Extension Agent, they can give you quite a bit of info, as well as hook you up with whoever heads up your local beekeeping group, and they can give you more.
I wish our little , rural, village would quit thinking of themselves as a budding metropolis, and allow chickens! It amazes me that a farming community....in a farming state....won't allow chickens "in town", but cities like Denver, and Boston (to name just two!)not only "allow" them, but try to promote folks having them
! Anyway, chickens (or ducks, or geese) are probably the "best" *green* way of keeping insect ....and even some weed...pests at bay.
