Aphids on an apple tree and how to deal with it
Content:
Briefly about aphids
Aphids very often settle on an apple tree. If you want to provide protection for your future crop, then you need to know what methods of dealing with such an enemy as aphids are. This invertebrate is rather small in size, about four to seven millimeters. But even despite its small parameters, it can greatly harm the seedling and the future harvest. This pest migrates exclusively through the air.
Aphids on an apple tree: what contributes to and how to recognize its appearance
Aphids on an apple tree: photo
Basically, apple trees are affected by red-headed or gray aphids, its approximate length is two to three millimeters. Their head is red, and their back and tail are black. They lay eggs in the bark of a tree, with the arrival of the spring period, females hatch, it is because of them that whole colonies of insects are formed. The females of this insect are very fertile, because in just one time they can produce forty larvae at once. The very peak of breeding is the beginning of the autumn period. As their prey, the aphid chooses only those crops in whose nutritive juice there are amino acids in an increased concentration. This can happen due to a low saturation with potassium, phosphorus, or because of an overabundance of nitrogenous elements. It is not difficult to understand that this pest attacked the tree, its foliage begins to curl up, turn black and dry up as a result. After that, reddish blisters form on the foliage, they precede the fact that the leaf will curl and fade.
Also, if aphids infect a culture, the foliage becomes covered with sticky secretion - this is a drop, it is she who attracts ants... By the ants, you can also understand the appearance of aphids, if there are too many of them, then carefully examine the plant. At the very first time, it is difficult to find out that aphids have settled on a plant, because they begin to do this from the top. After the pest has eaten all the upper leaves, it will move to the lower part of the plant, where it is already easy to notice it, simply by turning the leaf over. In addition to the fact that aphids have a detrimental effect on foliage, they also carry various diseases. Based on this, as soon as you notice its appearance, immediately proceed to the defensive process. Unfortunately, even if you carefully monitor your garden and the crops in it, aphids can still appear, because they fly through the air and can get to your crops simply from the neighboring area.
Aphids on an apple tree: how to provide protection for adults and young specimens
You can use both chemical and organic preparations for aphids on an apple tree. The choice of means is worth starting from: 1) Conditions on the site; 2) The number of seedlings; 3) Neighboring plants. A situation may arise that you will have to use drugs of all groups together, because that culture, that the pest can just get used to it.
It is important to remember that aphids are a very dangerous carrier of various infections and diseases. Which, in turn, can cause a variety of anomalies, such as galls and gall-like formations. Subsequently, it is impossible to get rid of them.
Aphids on an apple tree: how to deal with chemicals
How to get rid of aphids using chemical methods: video
If your garden is not inhabited by hordes of ladybirds that feed on aphids, then you will have to treat your plants with chemicals.The most important thing in the fight against this insect is not to delay and do everything on time. The beginning of the spring period will be the most favorable. Because it is at this time that the danger of burning the foliage becomes minimal.
The most effective and productive remedy for aphids on an apple tree will be - "Nitrofen" - it will help in the destruction of both adults and larvae. To do this, you need to: dilute two hundred grams of the product in ten liters of water. You need to process it even before the buds begin to bloom. Another very highly effective agent called "Oleocobrite", even its four percent concentrated solution can destroy the eggs laid by the insect. Before the apple tree begins to bloom, you can use "Kinmix" - this remedy is suitable against all pests that suck nutritious juices from the plant.
When using an aphid remedy on an apple tree, you must strictly follow the instructions. After the spraying process, it will start working in about an hour, and protect the plantings for about fifteen to twenty days. There are also a couple of tools: 1) Karate; 2) Inta-vir. These are quite popular drugs. The first tool is very economical, because ten liters of its solution is enough to process one hundred square meters of a plot. And the second tool is the most productive, because it can withstand more than fifty types of insect pests.
It is important to remember that one spraying will not be enough, but for permanent treatments, gentle preparations are needed, such that they do not burn the foliage. For example: 1) Spark; 2) Decis; 3) Cypermethrin. Spark is a highly effective agent that can even kill pest larvae. For you need to stir one tablet of the drug in ten liters of water. And the frequency of spraying should be eighteen to twenty days.
Aphids on an apple tree: how to deal with folk remedies?
Ash
Most of the funds have been known for a long time. They do not need special components and items. They are also environmentally friendly. Aphids will not infect crops that contain calcium and phosphorus, all these components can be found in wood ash. Ash-based fertilizing can be applied either under the root or simply sprayed with a solution. To prepare the solution, you need to take two glasses of pre-sieved ash and ten liters of water. Also, for better adhesion, you need to rub fifty grams of laundry soap. Then mix, let it brew and start spraying. Better to aim at the back of the foliage.
Celandine
Even in the fight against aphids on an apple tree, celandine helps well. You can also make a decoction from it. Pour one kilogram of grass with three liters of boiling water, then add another seven liters. Next, the mixture should be infused for about two days, and after that it will be possible to proceed to spraying.
Garlic
You can also prepare a garlic preparation, which aphids also do not like. Initially, you need to very finely chop five or six cloves of garlic, pour them with half a glass of water, let it brew for twenty-four hours. Then stir in one teaspoon of any liquid soap and add two teaspoons of sunflower oil. Then apply all this and dilute with water in a three-liter container. You can use it in spraying.
Tobacco
It is recommended to use tobacco solution as soon as you detect a pest. You need to take two hundred grams of dried tobacco, or makhorka. Pour the whole thing into a suitable container, pour five liters of water and leave for two days. After two days, you need to pour another five liters of water and rub fifty grams of laundry soap. Stir well and start spraying.
Onion peel
Two hundred grams of onion husks, you need to pour ten liters of hot water and leave for four to five days. Spray with this solution three times, every five days.
The most difficult recipe
In a container with hot water you need to mix: 1) Two hundred grams of laundry soap; 2) One glass - a strong broth of tobacco; 3) Half a glass - pre-sieved wood ash; 4) A quarter of a glass is kerosene. Mix it all. A very effective solution, it can even help with hordes of aphids.
Aphids on an apple tree: biological measures
In fact, these are biological methods. They can use living organisms and plants that repel the pest. To attract insects and birds, for example, you need to plant spicy and aromatic herbs-spices, as well as nettles, next to the apple tree.
Ants
Ant houses must be destroyed, because they can themselves bring aphids. For they love to feed on the sweet secretion that it secretes during life.
Crops that aphid cannot tolerate
To scare away aphids and other fruit pests, you can plant in the vicinity: 1) Lavender; 2) Dalmatian chamomile; 3) Calendula; 4) Tomatoes; 5) Garlic; 6) Tansy. Etc. But it is important to remember that there are plants that aphids love and they attract her: 1) Nasturtium; 2) Sleeping poppy; 3) Kosmeya; 4) Mallow; 5) Tuberous begonia; 6) Kalina; 7) Linden. Etc.
Birds
If such birds, which in the form of their food, prefer aphids, namely: 1) Sparrow; 2) Linnet; 3) Robin-robin; 4) Titmouse.
Insect hunters
Among invertebrates, there are also hunters for such pests as aphids. For example: 1) Ladybug; 2) Hoverfly; 3) Lacewing; 4) Some varieties of wasps.
Aphids on an apple tree: preventive measures to combat
Aphids on an apple tree: photo
Fighting aphids on an apple tree is not an easy task. It requires a serious approach and preventive measures. If you buy seedlings, then do not forget to examine them very carefully, because they can be carriers of this dangerous insect pest.
However, aphids will not be able to bite through elastic and healthy foliage, so keep an eye on the state of the crops. Water them regularly, fertilize and mulch them. But don't overfeed with either nitrogen or organic fertilizers. Before wintering, you need to clean the bark of the tree, because it is there that the larvae of the pest settle. When you clean the plant, and you need to do this as carefully as possible, do not forget to lay an oilcloth so that what falls does not remain in the soil. Everything that you separate from the plant must be burned.