How to control aphids on plums

How to tell if a plant is infested with pests

There are several ways to identify a plum tree infestation. In this case, you can eliminate aphids from the plum tree. Treatment and control methods will be discussed after we list the main symptoms of infestation. It's recommended to start by paying attention to the plant's young leaves and new shoots, as these areas are often susceptible to pest infestation. It's essential to carry out a thorough inspection. spraying trees and shrubs in spring against pests.

Aphids have small horns that they use to gnaw at foliage, but the leaves need to be soft enough to be attacked, so they don't attack thick branches or dense leaves. Another symptom may be plum tree leaves turning yellow and curling into thin tubes, and the emerging fruits appear deformed or wrinkled. Because the aphids secrete a nasty toxin, the leaf surface becomes sticky to the touch, and in the sun, it appears wet.

What methods should be used to combat aphids on a plum tree?

If aphids have appeared on your plum tree, it's worth consulting with more experienced specialists about how to combat them and what treatments to use. There are a wide variety of pest control methods, so it's worth trying the best ones. For example, if the damage is limited to a few branches and not extensive, simply removing the branches may be sufficient. You can also try killing these insects with various chemicals. There are also more gentle methods for eliminating aphids from plants, such as attracting insects that will destroy the aphids to the plum tree. A combination of these methods can permanently rid your stone fruit trees of the harmful aphids.

Chemical-based products from the store

If aphids appear on a plum tree, how to combat them and what to treat them with is not a difficult question. Gardening stores offer a variety of aphid-killing products, but these chemicals are recommended only if the entire tree is already infested with these "uninvited guests." There are also milder chemical treatments that are less aggressive on the fruit and the tree itself. Furthermore, these treatments only kill the harmful insects, while beneficial insects may survive the treatment and continue to protect the tree from aphids.

It's worth considering the most popular treatments used when aphids appear on plum trees. Read the instructions for how to combat them, what to treat the trees with, and the proper mixing ratios for these chemicals and water. One of the most popular and effective products is called "Akarin." This product is classified as a pesticide that doesn't cause resistance or tolerance in aphids, so it can be used repeatedly to completely eradicate the insects.

Physical protection equipment

If a gardener notices that aphids have appeared on a plum tree, how to fight them, and how to treat wood He should read on. For example, when the first harmful "guests" begin to appear on the tree, it's best to use exclusively mechanical methods to eliminate harmful aphids. If a gardener inspects the tree daily and removes infected areas of leaves and shoots, they can quickly cure the plum tree. The fastest and safest method for eliminating aphids from a plum tree is to use ordinary drinking water. Simply water the plant with a hose, and all the insects will be washed off the branches.

Let's consider the main criteria for mechanical destruction of harmful insects:

To begin with, it's recommended to pluck every aphid-infested leaf. If new shoots begin to grow on a large tree, they should be cut off, as this is where the aphids will feed. To completely protect plants from unwanted insects, plant only early plum varieties in your garden. Alternatively, early-ripening trees will do the trick. These begin bearing fruit before the aphids reach them. These plants are often completely immune to these pests.

Protective equipment (biological)

Not only are there various folk and chemical methods for eliminating aphids on plum trees, but even nature itself can help us combat these pests. Many insects feed on aphids, so they can eliminate these "uninvited guests" from plum trees in just a few days. Birds are also worth mentioning, as they also delight in feasting on the sweet bugs found on aphids. To increase the number of birds in your garden, it's a good idea to provide them with small bird baths and watering bowls, as well as a few bird feeders. It's worth noting that some stores sell ladybugs specifically for this purpose, which are excellent at combating aphid infestations. In addition to all of the above, there are also plants that can eliminate or simply repel harmful beetles from plum tree branches.

Insects in defense of the plum tree

If aphids have started to infest your garden, it's worth attracting as many beneficial bugs as possible. These could be lacewings or common ladybugs. In some cases, wasps can be helpful, but not all species of these insects are effective against aphids. If the area is overrun with aphids, it's worth purchasing a few ladybugs from a gardening store and releasing them into your garden. Next, attract birds to your garden. Of course, they should be smaller species, such as titmice or sparrows.

Planting various aromatic herbs can also be very effective. For example, onions and garlic can be planted near the tree, as some pests are intolerant of the scent of chamomile. Afterwards, carefully inspect your garden for anthills. If black ant colonies appear in the garden, they must be destroyed immediately.

Folk remedies for eliminating pests on plum trees

If aphids on a plum tree have just begun to reproduce, they need to be eradicated as quickly as possible. A gardener has only one question when seeing aphids on a plum tree: how to combat this scourge with folk remedies? In fact, there are many effective methods that can help quickly remove these pests from a plum tree. These recipes can also be used as a preventative measure, and below you'll find plenty of the most effective and simple options. elimination of aphids from leaves and shoots.

Pollination of plants with ash powder

This remedy works great, but there's a small requirement for its use: the tree must be small. If it's a small plum tree, killing all the pests won't be a problem, but this method won't work for larger trees. First, spray the entire tree with water, either with a spray bottle or directly from a hose. Then, place the ash in cheesecloth and spray not only all the leaves but also the trunk and the undersides of the leaves (where harmful insects can hide). This method is particularly beneficial because it eliminates insects not only on the tree itself but also in the surrounding soil.

Urea in pest control

This is the solution used by many gardeners who want to eliminate not only the insects themselves but also their offspring, which are often hidden in the bark. This treatment is carried out in the fall, making sure the tree is already leafless, as urea can damage the leaves. Once the leaves have fallen, they are carefully collected and then burned, as aphid eggs may remain on the leaves. Burning the leaves can completely eliminate the unwanted insects. To make the solution, take one bucket of water and add about seven hundred grams of urea. Spray the branches and trunk of the tree with this solution, making sure to thoroughly treat the bark, as this is where aphid eggs can be hidden.

Some features of eliminating aphids from a plum tree

If a gardener notices aphids on their plum tree, they already know how to combat this pest in the summer. However, there are some important rules to follow to avoid harming the tree and its fruit. For example, if the plum tree has already formed fruit, the final treatment should be carried out no later than thirty days before ripening. All fruit and stone fruit trees are recommended to be sprayed when buds appear, and also immediately after flowering. For fruit trees, insect control can be carried out three weeks before the first harvest. Berry crops also have their own rules, as small bushes can only be treated before flowering or immediately after harvest.

Spraying with products can prevent the appearance of aphids

Since many gardeners are reluctant to use chemicals due to the need to calculate the correct dosage, they resort to folk remedies to eliminate pests, which are less effective than chemicals. There are quite a few methods that can quickly eliminate all aphids, for example, using a soap solution. To do this, grate about two bars of laundry or regular soap and add them to a bottle of water. Spray the area where the "uninvited guests" live, and the insects will begin to leave the plant. Another equally effective method is to make a solution of soap and ash: add 300 grams of ash to ten liters of water, bring the mixture to a boil, then heat it to dissolve the soap. You can spray the entire plant with the resulting solution, and the aphids will soon disappear from the plum tree.

We recommend:Spraying fruit trees against pests in early spring

Preventing aphids on plum trees

To prevent aphids from actively reproducing during the summer, it's recommended to treat the tree not only in late autumn but also in the spring, once the snow has melted. First, remove any loose bark, as it may contain old aphid eggs. If the bark isn't removed, the pests will hatch and reproduce with the onset of warm weather. After the tree has been cleaned, it should be whitewashed with regular whitewash. The plant should also be thoroughly disinfected and any existing pests removed.

When new shoots begin to grow near the tree, they should be dug up immediately by the roots, as young shoots are the best food for aphids; they are soft and juicy, meaning the insects will soon move on to nearby plants. Frequent weeding of the soil beneath the tree is also necessary, as aphids can even live on weeds, and from there, they can move on to fruit and stone fruit trees.

The main rule for preventing aphids is to regularly spray the tree with solutions, starting in early April and continuing until late fall. If the plants are strong and the leaves are thick, aphids will not settle on them, so it's recommended to fertilize these plants. Another tip: if black ants appear in the garden, they must be eliminated immediately, as these insects carry the pest's eggs to other plants. To get rid of the ants early, you can create a small trench filled with water. The ants won't be able to cross it, which means aphids will not settle on the plant.