Aphids on apples how to fight.

Aphids on apples: preventive measures

Aphids on apples: photo

Aphids on apples are a very common occurrence that almost all gardeners encounter. In this article, we will describe the basic methods of pest control. Let's start with the fact that aphids are such a small insect, their size usually does not exceed 7mm, depending on the species, but they bring significant harm, especially for fruit and berry crops. Like all pests, aphids multiply very quickly; in a season, a whole flock of several individuals can form and they easily move to other plants.

Apple trees are most susceptible to the so-called red-headed or gray aphids. These insects are about 2-3mm in size with a red head and black body. Aphids are dangerous because the eggs remain in the tree trunk throughout the winter and females hatch from them in the spring and begin to actively reproduce. There is no particular difference in the methods of dealing with different species and subspecies. One female can give offspring of up to 40 individuals in one reproduction. What is noteworthy, from May to June, only females are born, these insects do not need fertilization. So by the end of the season, if the necessary measures are not taken, there will be a whole flock of these pests on your site. Aphids on apples live on the underside of the leaves. Active reproduction of aphids on apples occurs precisely in autumn, at the time of harvest, since during this period the tree is experiencing an acute shortage of potassium and phosphorus. All of us, in one way or another, have come across such a phenomenon on trees as twisted leaves, if you unfold them, then we can easily find a flock of aphids. After twisting, red blisters appear, then the leaf dies off, and so on one by one.

Since aphids move on apples by air, they first begin to settle on top of the tree, so at first you may not notice the affected areas. Leaves that have already been covered by pests become covered with a sticky liquid onto which the ants crawl. By this sign, you can understand that the tree is affected. Later they slide down more and more, at this stage you can easily see the twisted leaves. These insects also carry various diseases, so it is imperative to destroy them. Unfortunately, not a single gardener is safe from aphids on apples, because these pests can easily cross, both from the street and from neighbors.

Aphids on apples: how to fight?

Today there are many chemical preparations for the control of aphids on apples. Along with this, experienced gardeners use old, proven folk methods, which together give very good results. As a prophylaxis, biological control methods are also used. Below, we will consider each method separately. I would like to note that none of the methods gives a 100% guarantee, because everyone has different conditions in the garden. In addition, these insects can get used to the action of poisons or move to another tree and continue to reproduce. Therefore, it is very important to be patient and not neglect the destruction procedures, because these pests are also dangerous because they are carriers of various diseases, as well as such anomalies as galls, which cannot be subsequently eliminated.

Aphids on apples: a method of combating chemicals

Aphids on apples: video how to get rid of the pest

It is recommended to apply chemical preparations for the control of aphids on apples in early spring, when the buds have just appeared and there is no risk of drying out the leaves. Be careful, choose the correct spraying period, chemical poisons can scare away insects that pollinate apple flowers.Also, the chemical method is not recommended to be used 20 days before the direct harvest, since dangerous toxic substances can enter the human body together with apples. Pay attention if there is a cluster of ladybirds on the tree, so as not to accidentally destroy them, because they like to feed on aphids. Early spring is the most optimal time for the destruction of aphids in many respects.

The most effective remedy in the fight against aphids on apples is Nitrofen. By the way, it is suitable for all pests that hibernate in the bark of a tree. 200 grams of the drug will require 10 liters of water. Remember to spray the tree before the first buds open. Another reliable remedy in the fight against aphid eggs is "Oleocobrite". "Kinmix" can be used before flowering, as described in the instructions, it is suitable for the destruction of sucking and gnawing insects. All these drugs work for an hour, and the effect is enough for 2-3 weeks, you need to act according to the instructions, different manufacturers have their own nuances.

There are also such popular drugs as "Karate" and "Inta-Vir". The first has a very economical consumption - 10 liters is enough for 1 hundred square meters. And the second is very versatile, suitable for the destruction of more than 50 types of pests, which is why gardeners love it so much. In the fight against aphids, most likely, one spraying will not be enough, for the second treatment you can use such drugs as "Iskra", "Decis", "Cypermethrin". Iskra is produced in the form of tablets, 1 tablet per 10 liters of water. And this drug is suitable for the entire season, you need to use it every 20 days.

Aphids on apples: npopular methods of struggle

Long before ready-made preparations, our ancestors knew and knew how to destroy pests on fruit trees. They prepared various solutions from improvised means, their methods are effective to this day, we will describe the most popular below. These methods are also suitable for gardeners who are afraid to use chemicals in their area.

One of these popular methods is the use of wood ash (aphids do not like high levels of potassium and phosphorus). It can be used as a top dressing, mixed with manure, or you can make a solution from wood ash and spray it on the affected tree. Soak 2 cups of wood ash in 10 liters of water, for better adhesion of the solution to the leaves, you can rub laundry soap there. We try to spray the leaves from the underside. Ash can also be poured under a tree in early spring, pour boiling water, the bitterness from it will be absorbed into the juice of the apple tree, and will frighten off the invasion of aphids with its smell.

Another folk remedy is a solution of celandine. Pour 1 kg of celandine with 3 liters of boiling water, let it brew, then add another 7 liters. We insist for two days, we spray the apple tree with a ready-made solution.

A favorite remedy for gardeners is a garlic solution. It is made literally from improvised means and the effect is good. Soak 5-6 cloves of garlic, previously chopped, in ½ glass of water, leave in this form for a day, after this time add 1 tsp. liquid soap and 2 tsp. vegetable oil, mix the whole mass in a 3 liter container. We also spray, trying to capture the underside of the leaves. You can try to use tobacco tincture, in this case we take makhorka or tobacco, make a solution of 200 grams per 5 liters of water. We insist for 4-5 days, after these days we decant, add about 5 liters of water, you can rub 50 grams of soap for greater effect. Another grandmother's method is an infusion of onion husks, 200 grams per 10 liters of boiling water, we insist for 5 days. We also recommend using mustard, pepper or cinnamon for aphids. Just dilute in water, add soap.

Ordinary baking soda has worked well. It not only fights pests, but is also a source of calcium. Also contributes to the formation, development of apples. Dissolve 10 tbsp. tablespoons of baking soda or soda ash in 1 liter of water.We rub 40 g of laundry soap. Soda can be used as a preventive measure every month, it does not harm the tree itself, on the contrary, it has a double benefit. It is necessary to spray the apple tree several times with a break of 5 days. Any folk methods listed above will not harm either the tree or the fruit in any way. The most powerful recipe is a mixture of all of these. We take 200 grams of soap, a glass of tobacco, half a glass of wood ash, add ¼ glass of kerosene to all this. This method has been tested by many experienced gardeners and gives good results even in advanced cases. Traditional methods help to consolidate the result obtained from the use of chemicals. Instead of laundry soap, you can take tar, it will be even more effective.

If you notice a dark bloom on the leaves of an apple tree or other tree, this indicates that the tree has been infected with a sooty fungus. If you destroy the aphids, the fungus will also go away.

Biological ways to combat aphids on apples

Biological methods are methods when living organisms or plants are used to get rid of aphids. First of all, you need get rid of antsbecause they are a natural defense for aphids, as they feed on the honeydew that they excrete, they also help aphids move around the garden on themselves. You can plant fragrant plants next to the apple tree that repel pests and attract insects that like to feast on aphids. Such plants are of double benefit. For example, lavender, Dalmatian chamomile, calendula, tomatoes, garlic or tansy. But there are plants that, on the contrary, are very attractive to aphids - these are nasturtium, sleeping poppy, kosmeya, mallow, tuberous begonia, viburnum and linden; They should not be planted next to fruit plants.

Small birds will help to significantly reduce the pest population. Build feeders in your garden to attract sparrows, tits, robins, and linnet. Insects such as ladybugs, flies, lacewings, wasps are natural enemies of aphids, do not scare them away. To attract them, you can plant aromatic herbs next to the apple tree, for example, dill or parsley, or nettle.

As we have already found out, the fight against aphids on apples is laborious and requires a lot of time and patience. But it's worth it. To save you time spent fighting, we recommend taking a number of preventive measures. First of all, you need to carefully examine the seedling, especially if you bought it, the eggs of aphids can hide in the bark of the seedling.

Secondly, it is worth noting that aphids affect only weakened trees; they cannot bite through dense, thick, healthy leaves. That is, if you take timely care of the tree, mulch, water, feed, then the risk of aphid infection will significantly decrease. Do not exceed the amount of nitrogen fertilizer such as chicken manure. In the fall, it will not be superfluous to clean the bark of trees from aphid larvae that could lurk inside. We simply scrape off the dry bark without damaging the healthy part. You need to put something under the tree so that the dead bark would fall there, and not into the garden. Then all this must be burned. This completes all the procedures for the destruction of aphids.

We hope that our article will be useful to you, and the fight against aphids on apples will be successful.