Go Natural Tree Guard – Insect & Pest Barrier for Tree Protection

Go Natural Tree Guard: Sticky Insect & Pest Barrier for Tree Trunks

Go Natural Tree Guard is a ready-to-use sticky barrier that stops crawling insects from climbing your tree trunks. It works on a simple idea: a lot of the pests that damage fruit and foliage have to climb up (or back down) the trunk to feed, mate or lay their eggs. Put a sticky ring in their way and they can't get past. It's strictly mechanical, with no pesticides or harmful chemicals, which makes it a favourite with organic growers and anyone who'd rather not spray.

The barrier is made from a cellulose polymer and works around the clock once applied. It's fully waterproof and weatherproof, so it keeps doing its job through rain and heat, and one application lasts up to about 3 months before it needs refreshing. It's non-residual and won't harm your soil, and it's safe to use around fruit and vegetables, pets, birds and beneficial insects.

What It Traps

Tree Guard catches any insect that crawls up or down the trunk, including codling moth, elm leaf beetle, cherry and pear slug, ants, earwigs, moths, caterpillars, worms and weevils. It's particularly popular for ant control, since ants farm and spread scale, so stopping the ants often clears up a scale problem at the same time.

How to Apply

This is a sticky paste, not a wrap or collar, so it goes on with a brush or spatula:

1. Wrap masking tape or another banding material around the tree trunk, just below where the tree branches out.

2. Apply Tree Guard onto the band with a brush or spatula, forming a complete, unbroken ring right around the trunk.

3. Check that the foliage above the band isn't touching other plants, fences or walls, otherwise ants will simply walk around your barrier.

4. Refresh the barrier when it loses its tack, generally around the 3 month mark.

Applying it to a band rather than straight onto the bark is the standard approach, it protects the trunk and makes the barrier easy to remove or replace later. A little goes a long way, so you don't need a thick layer, just a continuous one.

Timing for Codling Moth

Codling moth can run through up to three life cycles in a single Australian season, depending on your location and the weather. For best results, apply Tree Guard from flowering through to mid-summer to cover the period when larvae are moving up and down the trunk. For other crawling insects, apply as needed whenever you see activity.

Key Features & Benefits

• Sticky mechanical barrier that traps climbing insects on the trunk

• No pesticides or harmful chemicals, made from a cellulose polymer

• Traps codling moth, ants, elm leaf beetle, pear and cherry slug, earwigs, caterpillars and weevils

• Protects 24 hours a day, waterproof and weatherproof

• Lasts up to around 3 months per application

• Suitable for organic gardens and orchards

• Safe around fruit, vegetables, pets, birds and beneficial insects

• Non-residual and won't damage the soil

• Ready to use, applies with a brush or spatula

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Go Natural Tree Guard work?
It's a sticky barrier applied in a ring around the trunk. Crawling insects that need to climb the tree to feed, mate or lay eggs get trapped in it and can't reach the foliage or fruit. It's purely mechanical, with no pesticides involved.

How do I apply Tree Guard?
Wrap masking tape or banding material around the trunk just below the branching point, then brush or spread the Tree Guard onto the band to form a complete, unbroken ring. Applying to a band rather than bare bark protects the trunk and makes it easy to replace later.

How long does it last?
Up to about 3 months per application. It's waterproof and weatherproof, so rain won't wash it off. Refresh it once it loses its stickiness.

What insects does it stop?
Any crawling insect that climbs the trunk, including codling moth, elm leaf beetle, cherry and pear slug, ants, earwigs, moths, caterpillars, worms and weevils.

Will it help with scale on my tree?
Often, yes. Ants protect and spread scale insects, so blocking the ants from climbing the trunk can help bring a scale problem under control.

When should I apply it for codling moth?
Apply from flowering through to mid-summer. Codling moth can complete up to three life cycles in one Australian season, so covering that window gives the best protection.

Is it safe for organic gardening?
Yes. It contains no pesticides and is a strictly mechanical barrier, so it suits organic gardens and orchards and is safe around fruit, vegetables, pets, birds and beneficial insects.

Why are ants still getting into my tree?
Almost always because they've found another route. Make sure no foliage above the barrier is touching other plants, fences or walls, and check the ring is complete with no gaps.