what possible bugs (big worms) inside (dying/dead) rose of sharon bush?

Question

I have two rose of sharons...one doing well, this one is not going to make it, but does have hope for one limb left.  There is about four or five of BIG icky lookin worms.  They are inside the tree.  I just got home from traveling, went out to check the rose of sharons....there is a white "covering" on the base of the trunk.  Base is rotted and pushed over..that's when I found the bugs.  I am hoping to save the other bush / tree.  I have been battling ants in the entire yard...  I have many pine trees that were planted too close together...I hope these bugs don't do the same to the trees.  Please help.

Answer 1

All  need to be sprayed..................sounds like a fungus on the rose of sharon, need to cut that bad one out and bag & trash it............spray it with neem.............ants can't digest cornmeal, put some in a soup can pushed in a little flat to keep it dry.............put it behind the garage or shed..........way away from your house, spray around the house outside with spectracide for bugs.  Rose of Sharon will self-seed.

Answer 2

You might be able to move every other pine tree in the late fall and spray them.