Aphids on an apple tree: how to deal with chemical and folk remedies, how to process

Aphids can appear anywhere. It is enough that only a few insects fly in - in the presence of the required amount of food, they multiply very quickly. Within a few weeks, the plant will be almost completely infested with insects. Therefore, it is important to know how to deal with aphids on an apple tree. If nothing is done, the insects will have a negative effect on the tree, which can lead to its death.

Aphid species

The life cycle of the apple aphid consists of several generations. Females lay light green eggs that gradually change color to black.Wingless founders emerge from eggs. Gradually, they develop into asexual virgins, which can be of two types - with wings and without. At the end of the growing season, normal egg-laying females and males appear. But females don't need male gametes to lay eggs, so the insects reproduce at a tremendous rate.

Before you start fighting aphids, you need to study its varieties. And there are quite a few of them:

• Green apple aphid. These are small greenish-yellow insects, less than 2 mm long. The pest is dangerous for apple trees, pears, quince, mountain ash, cotoneaster and some other plantings. It multiplies very quickly, so it can reduce the yield of a tree. Insects cause red spots on the fruits, leaves curl and shoots bend.
• Red-gall aphid. Insects are brown-green, covered with white powdery pile, have black transverse stripes. Body length does not exceed 1.6 mm. Aphids infect leaf blades and fruits. At the same time, all generations of insects harm the plant.
• Black aphid. Combines several types of insects at once, having a black, dark blue and green-brown color. It feeds on the juice of young leaves and fruits, for this it has a special proboscis. Because of this, the plant may die or its yield will decrease.
• Bloody. It got its name due to the fact that when crushed, a bright red spot remains in its place. Insects are egg-shaped, bright orange. Aphids colonize on young shoots, leaf cuttings and stalks. At the site of their distribution, deep ulcers form, through which harmful bacteria penetrate the plant. If the blood aphid is not removed, the plant will cease to bear fruit and die in 2-3 years.

You need to carefully inspect the trees in the garden in order to notice pests in time. Otherwise, yields will be significantly reduced.

Signs of a parasite

Detecting aphids on a young or mature tree is not difficult, as it is accompanied by very pronounced symptoms:

• Redish spots appear on the leaves of the apple tree, slightly rising above the leaf blade.
• Leaves curl, darken and gradually begin to dry out.
• They form a sticky liquid on their surface that attracts ants.
• There are a large number of small insects on young shoots, cuttings and stalks, differing in color depending on the variety.

Determining the presence of insects on young seedlings is easier because they are not tall, so any changes will be noticeable immediately. The fact is that aphids begin to parasitize on the upper shoots, so if the tree is tall, it will be problematic to immediately notice it.

But little by little the insects get little food, so they descend to the lower tiers. To detect pests, you need to unfold the sheet, and on the back of it you can find many larvae.

When to start fighting

It is necessary to start destroying aphids as early as possible. It is advisable to do this immediately after its discovery:

• During the flowering of the tree, aphids will infect the opening buds. As a result, the flowers will begin to fall off. And this can lead to a lack of harvest. Therefore, it is recommended to destroy aphids before flowering begins.
• If it appeared in June-July, it is necessary to spray the tree with special compounds immediately. Otherwise, the insects will cause the emerging fruit to drop.
• If you spray the tree during fruit ripening, the apples will have to be left on the tree for another 1-2 weeks. During this time, the insects will die, and the products that were used for spraying will evaporate.

Therefore, it is advisable to regularly inspect trees for pests. The sooner aphids are identified, the less damage they will cause to apple trees.

Biological ways to plant aphids under an apple tree

Aphids can appear in any garden. It affects not only apple trees, but also other fruit trees, tomatoes, roses. It is not necessary to use harmful chemicals to scare her away.

To protect a crop, you can plant plants next to it:

• Feverfew. It contains pyrethrin, which has a destructive effect on the nervous system of insects. Once ingested, it causes paralysis. Insects die because they cannot move and, accordingly, eat. Some individuals may survive, but they lose their reproductive functions.
• Lavender. This is a perennial plant with a pleasant smell and bright purple flowers. Grown as an ornamental. Contains essential oils and strong aromatic components. This repels pests.
• Marigolds (calendula). It is an annual plant with orange or yellow flowers. The leaves, stem and flowers have a strong fragrance that repels aphids.
• Garlic. Its specific pungent smell is not to the liking of aphids, so they do not settle next to it.
• Tagetes. These are annual or perennial plants. The flowers can be pure yellow or variegated - reddish-yellow. However, it is recommended to choose thin-leaved varieties of marigolds. Otherwise, snails may start on them, which over time can move to apple trees.

Such plants are very effective in repelling aphids. At the same time, they are completely safe for the human body, unlike aggressive chemicals.

Chemicals

The use of insecticides and pesticides is the most effective method of controlling aphids. Harmful insects die almost immediately or a few hours after spraying pesticides.

There is a wide variety of chemicals that can be used against aphids.

But in order for the use of such drugs to be effective and safe for humans, a number of simple rules must be observed during the procedure:

• You need to spray the tree in good dry weather, there should be no wind. Chemicals work even after rain, but if they are not washed away with water, the effect of them will come faster.
• It is advisable to wear a mask over the eyes and mouth, gloves. Work clothes should be taken, and after spraying, immediately remove and wash them.
• Means to pour into a garden spray bottle. After the procedure, it must be washed well, and it is better to spray the remains of the product on neighboring trees for prevention. Do not allow chemicals to enter waterways.
• Processing is best done in early spring before bud break. Thanks to this, the overwintered aphids will quickly die.
• You need to spray not from top to bottom, but from bottom to top. So the product will get on the back of the sheet, from which the pests are located.
• If the chemical gets on the fruits, it is not recommended to pick them for at least 2-3 weeks. And after that, they will need to be washed thoroughly.
• Do not spray pesticides while the tree is flowering. They lead to the death of bees. As a result, pollination will not occur, and the apple tree will not produce a crop.
• The finished product should be used immediately or during the day. You shouldn't leave it next time - the effect of it will decrease.
• It is recommended to purchase a new insecticide every year. The fact is that aphids can develop immunity to the same remedy. Therefore, she will not die.

Such simple rules will get rid of pests quickly and effectively.

Nitrofen

If you spray the garden with it in early spring, it will protect the trees from various pests - aphids, snails, caterpillars and others. In addition, spraying with Nitrofen is an excellent prevention of scab and other diseases.Available in the form of a brown paste, which dissolves well in water. To prepare an effective solution, it is necessary to dilute 200 g of the product in 10 liters of liquid. But it is forbidden to use the remedy for green vegetation, it can be applied either in early spring or late autumn.

Oleocuprite

Contains petroleum oil, which allows you to quickly destroy pests. To achieve the effect, the concentration of the solution should be 4%. That is, 400 g of the product must be dissolved in 10 liters of water.

Kinmiks

This is a contact-intestinal drug. Helps protect the apple tree from aphids, caterpillars, ants and other pests. After spraying, the product will kill them within a few hours. To prepare the solution, it is necessary to dilute one ampoule of the drug with 10 liters of water.

Spark

With the help of such a tool, you can fight various pests.It is suitable not only for garden crops, but also for indoor plants. Produced in the form of tablets. To prepare a spray solution, dissolve 1 tablet in 1 liter of water. Then strain and add another 4 liters of liquid. Process the apple tree. After 2-3 weeks, repeated spraying is recommended. The drug has an enteric-contact effect.

Insects will die after eating the sprayed leaves.

Cypermethrin

Produced in the form of tablets or water-soluble solution. Contains 8 isomers effective against Lepidoptera and Coleoptera insects. Quickly destroys aphid populations. It paralyzes both larvae and adult insects. It remains on the surface of the leaves for a long time (up to 30 days), is characterized by resistance to high temperatures and sunlight.

Karbofos

After spraying, the drug immediately begins to act and destroys aphids. At the same time, the remedy has an advantage - its effect does not last long, up to 2 weeks, after which it begins to break down.

Contains malathion, which belongs to organophosphorus compounds. It is necessary to dilute 90 g of the drug in 10 liters of water. An emulsion is formed, which will need to be sprayed on fruit trees.

Decis

Decis is a universal remedy that destroys all types of harmful insects that live on garden and indoor plants. The product has a good contact-intestinal action, destroys aphids in about 12 hours after spraying. Produced in sachets of 1 g. This amount must be diluted in 20 liters of water and used for its intended purpose. The application of Decis is an excellent aphid prevention - the insecticide will protect the apple tree for 30 days after spraying.

Intavir

Intavir is also a universal remedy that is suitable for the destruction of more than 50 species of insects, including aphids. The active substance of the drug is cypermethrin.When ingested by insects, it causes paralysis and death. Produced in the form of tablets. One tablet is designed for 10 liters of water. Only freshly prepared solutions are suitable for spraying.

Storing them longer than a day is not recommended, as this will lose their effectiveness.

Karate

Karate preparation is a very effective remedy. Available in the form of a water-soluble liquid. For 10 liters of water, you need to take 250 g of the product. It is recommended to spray trees in the morning or evening in calm weather. The drug is toxic to fish, bees and birds. Therefore, it must be used with caution.

Use of folk remedies and recipes

You can get rid of aphids with the help of folk remedies. However, they act more slowly than chemicals. Consider the most effective folk remedies.

Wood ash

Ash helps to remove aphids in the shortest possible time. To do this, you can use the following recipes:

• 3 kg of wood ash pour 5 liters of boiling water. Insist for two days, then strain and add to the resulting infusion 3 tbsp. l. liquid soap. Use this product to spray trees.
• 1.5 kg of ash and 100 g of rubbed soap are poured into 10 liters of cold water. Leave the mixture for a day. Then filtered and used to treat aphid-affected trees.
• Take an equal amount of ash and shag. Fill with water and insist for a day. After that, filter and use as intended.

Ash does not harm plants, but strengthens their immunity. It is also sprinkled on the soil to increase fertility. If the soil is very acidic, the apple tree may suffer, this reduces its immunity. Therefore, it becomes susceptible to various diseases, quickly dies from pests.After treatment with ash, the acidity of the soil decreases.

Soap

Laundry soap is used to control aphids. It contains caproic acid, which destroys harmful insects. To prepare a soap solution, grate 300 g of 75% soap on a coarse grater. The resulting chips pour 2 liters of warm water, stir well until it is completely dissolved. Pour another 8 liters of water to make a less concentrated product.

Ammonia

Ammonia solution is used to control aphids. It burns mucous membranes, leading to paralysis and death of insects. After that, they fall off. If a few aphids remain on the tree, a second spray may be necessary.

To prepare the solution, add 1 tbsp to 10 liters of water. l. concentrated ammonia and liquid soap.

Garlic

From garlic you can prepare several effective remedies for aphids:

• Infusion of garlic. 10 heads of garlic, divided into cloves, but do not peel them. Pour a liter of water and leave for 3 days. Then drain the liquid and add another 10 liters of water. Use to spray wood.
• Garlic arrows. They must be laid out under a tree, tied to the branches. They have a very strong smell, so the aphids fly away.
• Garlic-soap solution. It is necessary to grind 400 g of peeled garlic cloves in a meat grinder. Add 3 tbsp. l. liquid soap and pour 10 liters of water. Insist 3 days. Then strain and process the tree affected by aphids.

It must be taken into account that all products made from garlic have a very unpleasant odor. Therefore, it is recommended to wear a face mask while spraying.

Soda

200 g of soda pour 10 liters of water and spray the trees. To increase the effect, a small amount of soap can be added to the liquid. So the insects will stick to the leaves, after which they will begin to die under the influence of an alkaline solution.

Also, baking soda can be used in powder form. To do this, simply sprinkle it on aphids. But this method is effective if there are few insects.

Celandine

There are several ways to use celandine:

• Dusting. It is necessary to collect the dried herb and grind it into powder. After that, treat the affected areas. In addition, such a tool can be used for prevention during the flowering period - it protects the flowers from harmful insects.
• Use of green celandine. It must be plucked and scattered under the trees. You can also tie celandine on the branches of an apple tree.
• Infusion. With a mass defeat of aphids, spraying is required. To prepare an infusion from celandine, it is necessary to fill 1/5 of a bucket with chopped grass. After that, pour 5 boiling water and leave for half an hour. Then strain, add another 5 liters of liquid.

Celandine juice is poisonous to insects. Therefore, as soon as it enters the aphid's body, paralysis of all systems will occur, so it will die.

Ammonia

Aphids are sensitive to ammonia vapors. Therefore, such a tool can be effectively used to protect the garden from pest invasions. To prepare the solution, 50 ml of ammonia should be diluted with 10 liters of water. Mix thoroughly and add the soap base - 50 g of liquid or grated solid soap. It is necessary for the aphids to stick to the leaves, otherwise they will fly away and not die. It is not recommended to spray the prepared product with a spray gun, as small drops of ammonia may not reach the tree. In this case, pouring the solution is required from a watering can.

Onion peel

Infusion of onion peel has a very rare smell. Therefore, insects do not tolerate it and leave the sprayed tree.The use of such a tool makes sense if there is only 1 apple tree in the garden. Otherwise, aphids can move from one tree to another. To prepare the infusion, you need to pour 200 g of onion peel into 10 liters of water. Infuse for 5 days then strain and spray the trees. Repeat the procedure 2-3 times with a frequency of 5 days.

Mustard

After getting mustard into the body of insects, it causes their death. You can use it in various ways:

• Dry mustard. It is necessary to sprinkle places where aphids accumulate. The substance acts very quickly and aggressively, so the insects will die within a few hours.
• Infusion. 100 g of mustard pour 10 liters of water, leave for a day. Then add another 10 liters of water and 30 g of laundry soap.
• Solution. In 10 liters of water, add 1 tbsp. l. mustard and vinegar.

Mustard formulations should be used with care. They can cause severe burning if splashed into the eyes.

Tobacco powder

To get rid of aphids, you can grow tobacco on your site, buy a pack of cigarettes or use tobacco dust. The simplest is the last option. Tobacco dust is sold in specialized stores, and in order to prepare an aphid remedy, it simply needs to be diluted with water. To do this, pour 50 g of dust into 10 liters of water.

Fumigation can also be done. To do this, lay a thin layer of straw next to the apple tree, sprinkle with tobacco dust and set it on fire. But you need to watch the fire so that it does not spread to the tree.

Other remedies

In the process of destroying aphids, other insects can help. To lure them to the site, you must follow some recommendations.

The following insects feed on aphids:

• Ladybug larvae. It is difficult to attract them, it is easier to buy them in flower shops. After that, release them to the apple tree.
• Beetle. To attract her, you need to plant nightshade crops in the garden.
• Hoverflies. It is necessary to plant daisies under the tree, the pollen of which these insects feed on. And their larvae eat adult aphids and their larvae.

Also, birds can help to cope with pests. To attract them, it is necessary to place birdhouses, feeders, drinkers in the garden.

Mechanical methods of struggle

You can also remove aphids by mechanical means. However, these methods are less efficient. The fact is that insects can return. Mechanical methods include:

• Remove the aphids with your hands. This is a rather problematic task, since the insects are very small. And when you touch them, they are easily crushed. Therefore, in order not to get your hands dirty, it is recommended to work with gloves.
• Wash off aphids with water pressure. However, in this case, she does not die, so after a while she can return to the tree.
• Cut off affected branches and burn. This method is effective only if the insects have just appeared and did not have time to populate the entire tree. And if you remove too many branches, the apple tree may suffer.

Unfortunately, there are no baits for these pests, as they only like to feast on green leaves. Therefore, to combat it, you have to use one of the above means.

Prevention of aphids on apple trees

To avoid the appearance of aphids in the garden, a number of preventive measures must be observed. Often it is brought into the garden along with seedlings. Therefore, before buying, they must be carefully inspected. It is recommended to plant only he althy seedlings in the ground.

For preventive purposes, it is necessary to attract birds to the territory. They will prevent the occurrence of not only aphids, but also other harmful insects.

To prevent the occurrence of any pests and diseases, it is necessary to spray the garden in early spring. Aphid eggs are resistant to low temperatures, so they do not die in winter frosts. And before the appearance of the first leaves, they are in "hibernation". Therefore, at this moment, you can easily destroy them without harm to the plant. Thus, an aphid is an insect that adversely affects the condition of a tree. To avoid its death and decrease in productivity, it is necessary to prevent the invasion of aphids and destroy it in time.

Recommended