Aphids on trees: effective control methods

If leaf aphids begin to multiply on trees, the plant will soon lose its healthy appearance, especially on young shrubs. The insects begin to extract nutrients and sap from each leaf, secreting various toxic sap in return. This poison causes the leaves to curl into tubes, and after a few days, the foliage begins to die and fall from the tree. If the plant is still young and still sprouting, the growth of each shoot either slows or stops completely, and the aphid's toxic substances also clog every cell, preventing the leaves from receiving essential oxygen.

If a gardener does not start looking for methods on how to get rid of aphids on trees at home in time, then very soon aphids will take over everything trees in the garden plotEach individual can produce around fifty generations in just one season, so don't neglect eliminating these insects from your garden. Unfortunately, aphid control is very time-consuming, as it's incredibly difficult to completely eliminate them, as they reproduce very quickly. Therefore, it's important to act quickly to prevent these harmful insects from destroying all your trees and shrubs.

How to prevent aphids?

Before you begin combating these harmful "guests," it's important to understand the reasons for their appearance and their common habitats. Knowing why aphids appear on shrubs can help prevent their arrival. These insects generally prefer to feed on young, succulent leaves, which is why they prefer younger plants and bushes, nesting at the very ends of branches, where the youngest leaves are found. Aphids won't nest in foliage that's already very calloused, as they won't be able to bite through it. Therefore, it's best to begin protection with the youngest leaves and new shoots.

Should you use chemicals against harmful insects?

When a gardener thinks about How to control aphids on plums When dealing with aphids and other trees, the first thought is to resort to chemicals to kill these "uninvited guests." While this solution is quite effective, it's not entirely safe for the trees or human health. Since the chemicals begin killing the insects directly on the tree, all the harmful chemicals are absorbed into the leaves and fruits of the shrubs, which can soon lead to human ingestion. It's worth exploring alternative methods for getting rid of aphids on trees using natural remedies, as they are safer for both the plants themselves and human health.

Using soap and ash against aphids

A simple method for eliminating these pests is to wash aphids off trees with water. A hose is a good choice, but a more effective method is to use soap and water. For this method, use laundry soap; grate it and add it to the water. Stir the solution until it becomes a smooth, soapy liquid. If you have ash at home, a simple solution of water with ash added will also work; it's also effective at removing insects from tree branches.

Herbal infusions

Many gardeners know how to get rid of aphids on trees during flowering, as this can be done using common herbal decoctions and tinctures. However, extreme caution is required with such solutions, as excessively high concentrations of substances in tinctures can seriously harm not only the aphids but also the plants themselves. Undiluted tinctures can cause burns on young branches and also kill other insects that may be beneficial to the plant.

How to properly use tinctures and decoctions against harmful insects?

There are several important rules for getting rid of aphids on trees in the garden, using various types of herbal decoctions and infusions. First, keep in mind that it's not recommended to treat the entire tree with the prepared solution at once; it's best to test the infusion on a small area of ​​the tree to ensure its effectiveness. If the plants have already begun to bear fruit, the treatment should begin no later than two weeks before the first harvest; some trees can be treated up to one month before the first harvest. If berry bushes require treatment with such infusions, aphids should be eliminated only before flowering or after harvest.

Onion tincture against harmful insects

To begin, take half a medium-sized onion, chop it, and place it in a jar. Add a generous amount of onion peels. Add one liter of clean water to this mixture and let it steep for at least five hours to allow the onion to release its juices into the water. After the solution has steeped, add about five grams of laundry soap and strain thoroughly to obtain a clear infusion. After removing the onion from the solution, add water to make exactly one liter of the solution, suitable for spraying trees and shrubs. You might also be interested in reading:How to fight mole crickets: photos and descriptions.

Tincture of chamomile

To make the infusion, take about half a packet of the herb (avoid using tea bags, as loosely packed dried herbs will produce the best results), pour one liter of water over the herb, and let it steep for twelve hours. To obtain the proper solution, strain the resulting mixture, pour one cup of chamomile infusion into a bottle, then add two more cups of water. Add grated laundry soap to the bottle as well—just four grams of soap per liter of infusion is sufficient.

Dandelion decoction

To know how to get rid of aphids on plum trees, you need to properly prepare a dandelion tea. To prepare this remedy, take just 400 grams of dried dandelion leaves and 200 grams of dandelion roots, add a bucket of water, and let steep for four hours. Afterward, strain the solution, pour it into a bottle, and spray it on plants in areas where pests are common.

Wormwood decoction for garden pests

Many insects cannot tolerate strong odors, so it's worth using a wormwood decoction to get rid of harmful aphids on trees and shrubs in your garden. To eliminate these unwanted guests from your trees, you'll need to apply this decoction more than once. Proper treatment will help rid your trees of pest infestations for good, but exactly one week after the first treatment, a repeat spray is necessary, requiring three treatments at seven-day intervals.

An excellent way to eliminate "uninvited guests" from shrubs and tree leaves is to spray all plants with an infusion of onion and garlic. A small amount of grated soap should be added to this infusion. If aphids have begun to infest not only fruit trees but also houseplants, you can use a regular solution with table salt for watering. This helps eliminate not only insects on stems and foliage but also mites in the soil. For this solution to have a positive effect, it is important to spray every ten days.

If the gardener wants to eliminate aphids on currants, as well as other shrubs and trees, it's worth trying a tincture of red pepper. It's hot and will help eliminate pests from the bushes quite quickly. It's important to dilute this solution with water at a ratio of one part to ten. Add soap shavings to the solution to kill the insects, and the soap will protect the tree from the heat.

How to carry out prevention

To prevent harmful aphids from infesting plants and avoid the gardener having to worry about how to get rid of aphids on trees (video below), it's important to prevent these insects from appearing on trees in advance. For example, if new plants appear in the garden, they should be thoroughly inspected for aphids.

Once the pest is detected, it must be destroyed as quickly as possible to prevent the aphids from reproducing and spreading to neighboring trees and bushes. A quick response will help keep plants healthy, and eliminating the need for extensive pest control.

If aphids have started appearing in your garden, consider planting plants such as carrots, parsley, and dill near the trees; these plants help repel these pests. Each of these plants attracts beneficial insects, and these insects can quickly eliminate aphids from the trees, but this method is only suitable if the insects have just begun to reproduce. Aphids are very afraid of birds, as they will happily feast on the harmful insects. To attract birds to your garden, you can simply create bird feeders. If there are already birds in your garden, avoid raiding their nests or destroying them, as they will quickly leave the garden. Planting fragrant lavender in your garden will discourage aphids from appearing on the trees, as the scent of the fragrant plant will repel the insects.

Avoid using excessive amounts of chemicals to control insects, as eliminating aphids with chemicals will also kill more beneficial insects, which also help control harmful insects. If plants are adequately fertilized, aphids are unlikely to attack them, as a lack of nutrients weakens plants and allows pests to attack, completely destroying shoots and crops. Regularly cultivating the soil will also help eliminate unwanted pests, as this will improve soil aeration and allow the plant to receive more oxygen, resulting in stronger leaves and less chance of aphids attacking.