As with all fruit trees, a whole range of pests cause problems with the pear tree. How you can tell which harmful garden creatures you are dealing with and what you can do about it.
Which pests can attack the pear tree?
Common pests on the pear tree are codling moths, pear gall midges, pear jewel beetles, pear leaf suckers and voles. For protection, affected fruits or leaves can be removed, natural enemies can be introduced, or shelters can be created for larvae. Chemical agents should be avoided.
Pests commonly found on pear trees
Pests prevent pear harvests and often damage the entire tree. The most common species include:
- codling moth
- Pear gall midge
- Pear jewel beetle
- Pear leaf sucker
- Voles
codling moth
Despite its name, this pest also likes to attack pears. It flies from May to September and lays its eggs on fruits and leaves. The larvae hatch within two weeks and eat the fruit. These fall off after a short time.
Wrap the trunk of the pear tree with folded corrugated cardboard. The larvae seek shelter there and can easily be collected and destroyed.
Pear gall midge
Pear gall midges emerge from the ground in April. They lay their eggs in the pear blossom. The larvae eat the fruit. This changes color, becomes black and falls off.
As soon as you discover black fruits on the tree, pick them off immediately and also collect any fruits that have already fallen. Dispose of them with household waste.
Pear jewel beetle
The pear beetle lays its eggs in the bark of the trunk and branches. The larvae eat through the bark, causing it to crack and form scabby areas. The feeding passages are easy to see if you lift pieces of the bark.
Cut out affected areas generously. There is currently no control that is harmless to fruits and insects.
Pear leaf sucker
Pear leaf suckers are gray aphids that suck out the leaves and cause them to become stunted. A clear sign is a sticky, sweet layer that forms on the leaves.
Remove all infected leaves from the tree or ground. Flower bugs are enemies of aphids, they can be a valuable help in combating them.
Voles
They eat the suction roots of the pear tree and cause lasting damage to it.
Repel the voles with traps (€31.00 on Amazon) or bait.
Tips & Tricks
If you have a pest infestation, don’t resort to chemical agents straight away. Sometimes simply collecting things helps. Plant decoctions are easy to make and use to combat pests and diseases.
