Aphids are an annoying phenomenon in the garden, and not just on many flowering bushes. If there is a severe infestation on an apple tree, you should take appropriate measures so as not to endanger the apple harvest by weakening the tree.
How do I fight aphids on apple trees?
To effectively combat aphids on apple trees, you should remove the infected branches in summer, encourage beneficial insects such as ladybirds or earwigs and regularly check the tree for aphid infestation in spring.
Timely detection as a basis for countermeasures
Certain species of aphids can only be recognized as pests on the branches and leaves of the apple tree from a distance when the damage appears with noticeable curls and malformations of the leaves. Leaves that are covered in white can also be an indication of an aphid infestation. When it comes to apple trees, the following species in particular can cause damage to the tree:
- apple grass louse
- Apple wrinkle louse
- Mealy apple aphid
If you notice a severe infestation in the summer due to noticeable deformation of the leaves, it is usually too late for effective control in the same year. Since aphids can almost always be found on the young shoots and buds, these should be checked for possible aphid infestation as soon as they sprout in spring. This means that targeted measures can be initiated immediately if necessary.
Prevent weakening of the tree
Aphids pose a danger to an apple tree that may already be ailing, as they suck a lot of tree sap from the bark pipes on the shoots. It can also be a control measure if you remove infected branches from the apple tree as part of the summer pruning and burn them immediately. The use of chemical sprays against aphids is often not only time-consuming and expensive, but can also make the harvest inedible in the same year. If, on the other hand, tree pruning is used as a countermeasure, the affected tree can benefit in terms of its vitality from the rejuvenation of its tree crown.
Specifically promote beneficial insects
The most successful long-term control of aphids comes from natural enemies, such as ladybirds and earwigs. These can now be purchased specifically from specialist retailers and placed on affected trees. Since aphids reproduce asexually and therefore very rapidly in spring, early intervention pays off twice as much by preventing subsequent generations of aphids from developing in the first place.
Tips & Tricks
You can lure the earwig relatively easily to the crown of your apple tree by filling upturned clay pots with wood shavings and hanging them just below the branches. These provide an ideal dwelling and breeding ground for the earwig as a natural enemy of aphids.
