Insect help for a mimosa tree in the desert southwest?

Question

I live in the desert southwest, and have a mimosa tree. Some of the main branches have been kind of splitting apart on the outside for a couple of years. There are several round holes in the surface, and VERY small black insects crawling up and down. I don't know if they're ants, or termites, or what. They're too small to even see what they look like.

What do I do to help my tree?

OK- I think I figured out that the small holes are from woodpeckers, not from the bugs themselves, if that helps.

Answer 1

Termites tend not to be black, and tend to only devour dead wood, so they probably aren't the problem. Ants can be black, but generally do not harm trees, but rather either use them as a bridge between two places, or as a place they find food like a piece of fruit or something. It's possible that the problem is mites. I would just call a local nursery and describe the problem. They're generally quite helpful and know about the types of things that tend to go wrong in your area.

Answer 2

I am not much help either. I have a Mimosa Tree in Massachusetts.
But! I do know that the only reason that you have woodpeckers is because you had a huge insect infestation FIRST! DO NOT chase away the wood peckers until you hire an Arborist to Save your Tree.
All though I hate to say the word.....some times P E S T I C I D E S are the only Option.