Plum codling moth: how to get rid and how to process for the fight

If last season gardeners got a rich harvest of plums, this season she will rest. This situation occurs for the reason that the plant has spent a significant part of the nutrients on the formation of juicy fruits. However, this does not mean at all that the plum will not give several shoots on which the buds will tie. Along with this, during this period, the plum is subject to attacks by pests, in particular the plum codling moth, which we will discuss below.

What is the danger to the tree

Plum codling moth is a pest that attacks stone fruit crops. This happens as follows: the caterpillars destroy the pulp of the fruit, and also damage and clog it with their own excrement.

These pests are found almost everywhere. So, in Russia, most of them are observed in the southern regions. The female plum codling moth produces approximately two generations of parasites.

Codling moth on the plum: signs of pests

Codling moth looks like a brown-gray butterfly. The wintering of the parasite passes in the form of a caterpillar. After the plum blossoms and sets fruit, butterflies become visible on the trees; they lay their eggs directly on plums. After that, caterpillars appear, which eat away the passages in the fruits and, thus, reach the stalk. As a result, the plum ceases to grow actively, changes color and eventually falls off.

With the help of insecticides, you can quickly get rid of pests even in the early stages of codling moth activity.

How to process a plum from a codling moth

Next, we propose to consider in detail what methods of dealing with the codling moth on the plum.

Biologicals

You can treat a fruit tree from a pest with the help of biological preparations, which are less dangerous to humans and plants. The main advantage of such products is that, after processing, the owner of the garden tree can be sure that the plums are absolutely clean, both in terms of pests and the drug used.

Most famous biologics:

• Spark Bio;
• Fitoverm.

To achieve maximum results, the treatment is carried out on a dry and quiet calm day. In case of severe infection, the procedure is repeated several times with a break of 7 days.

Chemicals

In the most difficult situations, it is necessary to resort to chemical means to combat parasites. In any case, such drugs are the most effective, but they are not so easy to use. A significant disadvantage is that during the use of chemicals, the residual product of the reagent accumulates in the fetus. If the solution is used incorrectly, this accumulation can double.

As chemicals, used:

1. Karbofos.
2. Inta-vir.
3. Lepidocide.

Processing is carried out twice - after flowering, at the time of formation of ovaries. By the way, in different climatic conditions, the processing time varies.

The second phased processing is carried out in July. At this time, a large number of caterpillars of the second generation are being destroyed.

Folk methods of struggle

Those who do not want to use biological or chemical preparations for one reason or another can always turn to folk methods of dealing with plum codling moth. By the way, such measures are also effective.

So, among folk methods, the following are often used:

1. Garlic, hot peppers and onion husks. Infusions are prepared from these ingredients, which are used to treat the affected tree. The best option is spraying plums. From the smell of parasites quickly leave.
2. Mustard powder. To prepare the product, you need to pour 100 grams of mustard with boiling water (10 liters). A day later, the liquid is diluted with soapy water in the same amount.
3. Pine needles extract. For this option, needles are collected from spruce and pine, approximately so that a one-liter jar comes out. The needles are placed in a container and filled with two liters of warm liquid.In this form, the ingredients are insisted for a week. At the end of the term, the infusion is filtered and diluted in proportions of one to two.
4. S alt. Before buds bloom on the plum, it is treated with a solution of table s alt. In order to make a remedy, you need to take one kilogram of s alt and dilute it in ten liters of water.
5. A bitter infusion of wormwood. To prepare the infusion, take one kilogram of the plant and ten liters of water. It is necessary to insist the remedy within two days. It is also a good idea to plant sagebrush near plum trees.

Folk methods, as well as chemical ones, should be applied several times, starting in spring.

How to get rid of a plum pest: a step by step guide

Let's take a closer look at how to deal with the codling moth on the plum.

Terms of medical work

In garden plots where modern crop protection work has been put into practice, it is advisable to observe the following deadlines for work using biological and chemical preparations:

1. The first treatment is carried out between June 1st and 12th, and is carried out with the means to exterminate the first generation of caterpillars.
2. To eliminate the second generation of caterpillars, 25 to 30 days must pass from the date of the first treatment. During this period, other chemicals are used.
3. The peak of the accumulation of caterpillars falls on the period from mid-July, so somewhere in the twentieth of June, two treatments should be carried out, resorting to biological means.

For those who want to minimize the negative effect of the above wood treatments, the ideal option would be to combine the treatment of plum codling moth with other types of parasites.

Plum Processing Technology

The systematic elimination of carrion is carried out throughout the growing season. Before harvesting, the trees are shaken so that damaged fruits fall.

In the autumn and spring periods, the trees are cleaned from the bark that has lagged behind, if there are cocoons, they are eliminated; in addition, flaws in the trunk are closed, diseased and dry branches are cut off. Whitewashing is also carried out at this time.

It is mandatory to attach trapping belts with glue, which should be filled with poisonous powder or solution.

In the event that the ground under the trees is maintained in a state of steam, in the fall it is dug up around the entire perimeter. In general, instead of steam, it is optimal to organize lawns under fruit trees on which wormwood, tansy, carrot seedlings and other herbs are sown, which would attract insects that destroy the plum codling moth.

In addition, if the garden is young, tomatoes are grown between the rows, as the pest does not like their smell.

Insect Prevention

In order not to fight the plum codling moth, it is worth taking preventive measures, in particular:

1. Collect the carrion in time.
2. Install trapping belts on the drain.
3. Dig up the soil every fall.
4. Repair all bark damage with garden pitch.

Engage in attracting insects that can destroy parasites. To do this, you can, for example, sow green manure on the site, which will attract such "defenders".

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