How to get rid of aphids on cherry trees

Cherries are undoubtedly a favorite of many gardeners, not only because they produce delicious and juicy fruit, but also because of their beautiful blooms and enchanting fragrance. However, such a beautiful picture can be significantly spoiled by an infestation of cherry aphids. These tiny black pests not only cling to twigs and young shoots, but also damage foliage, sucking the tree's sap, and preventing it from developing fully. Read about it. What diseases can attack cherries?.

Therefore, it's important to know how to get rid of aphids on cherry trees in the fall, spring, and summer. The task is complicated by the pest's incredible reproduction rate—up to 14 generations in a single season! Relying on the tree to cope with the problem on its own is unrealistic. Without gardener intervention, the affected leaves will dry out and begin to die, and the tree will also be infested with sooty mold, which relies on the sticky excrement of the aphids to thrive.

Options for fighting

Many gardeners don't even bother trying to figure out how to get rid of aphids on cherry trees (photo), believing that this pest is fairly common and not all that dangerous. However, this is a misconception, as aphids cause so much damage to the tree that it may not only fail to produce fruit the following season but also die.

Basic principles of aphid control on cherry trees:

• Clearing the area of ​​bedstraw and other weeds that can become a haven for parasites;
• Spraying cherries with special plant infusions aimed at destroying aphids;
• Spraying cherries with ash infusion;
• Moderate feeding of cherries (if you overdo it with fertilizers, or, on the contrary, underfeed the cherries, then aphids, like
• a lover of weak and overfed plants will appear right here);
• Fighting ants;
• Attracting ladybugs to the site, which are the worst enemy of aphids;
• In case of severe cherry damage, toxic chemicals cannot be avoided.

For both aphid prevention and control, it's best to perform all of these steps in a comprehensive manner. A comprehensive approach to getting rid of aphids on cherry trees will ensure that the pests leave the tree completely alone and won't dare attack it again. Here are some tips on what to do if... The cherry tree blossoms but does not bear fruit.

Procedure for spraying against aphids

If the aphids haven't yet had time to breed and are only attacking part of the cherry tree, you can resort to spraying with a garlic- and onion-based solution. To do this, dissolve 20 grams of soap in 5 liters of water and add 120 grams of chopped onion and garlic. Spray the cherry tree with this solution three times, separating the "medicinal showers" by 10 days. Infusions of red pepper and celandine can also help combat aphid infestations. The principle for preparing a solution from these plants is the same as for garlic and onion.

Another option for getting rid of aphids on cherry trees is to use tobacco (makhorka). Steep 100 grams of dried tobacco in 10 liters of water for 24 hours. After this time, boil the infusion for 2 hours. Then strain and cool the infusion. Add 20 grams of soap to enhance adhesion. Spray the cherry trees three times, 10 days apart.

Wood ash can also be used to repel and eliminate aphids from cherry trees. Sift 350 grams of wood ash, dilute it in water, and boil for 10 minutes. Before spraying the tree with the wood ash solution, add more water to bring the volume to 10 liters. Depending on the severity of the problem, spray the cherry tree every 10 days. The minimum number of sprays should be three.

To increase the effectiveness of aphid control on cherry trees, you can use a solution of wormwood, tomato shoots, celandine, and wood ash. Place the plants in a bucket, fill it to the brim with water, and let it steep for 3-4 days. Then, strain the solution and mix it with a wood ash solution. Spray the cherry trees with this mixture once a week until no trace of the aphids remains.

Planting enemy plants

Nearby plants can be a major threat to aphids. Therefore, another way to get rid of aphids on cherry trees is to plant plants near the tree that will become true enemies for aphids. The main threats to aphids are:

• Thyme;
• Parsley;
• Carrot.

Planting herbs near the cherry tree is also beneficial. Herbs are the best place for ladybugs to overwinter, and the more of them there are in the area, the better, as ladybugs are aphid eaters, and there's no better delicacy for these cute insects.

Getting rid of aphids with pesticides

Because aphids reproduce so quickly, it's sometimes difficult to detect them in the early stages of an attack. And if you miss this moment, you'll have to resort to heavy artillery in the form of toxic chemicals. How can you get rid of aphids on cherry trees using pesticides?

The following products have proven themselves to be effective:

1. Inta-vir (one tablet of the drug is dissolved in 10 liters of water);
2. Decis (one ampoule per 10 liters of water);

Important! If toxic chemicals are used, the tree treatment procedure should begin at least two weeks before harvesting.

Methods for getting rid of aphids on cherry trees are suitable for any season. It's appropriate to use sprays and pesticides in the fall, spring, and summer. However, during the summer, extreme caution should be exercised with pesticides. After all, summer is the cherry tree's fruiting season, meaning toxic chemicals can destroy not only the aphids but also the entire harvest.

It is important to know how to get rid of aphids. on the cherry, so as not to give the tree the opportunity to become completely sick, and as a thank you, the cherry tree will bear juicy, healthy fruits and will delight you with its beauty and health for many years to come!