Bloodlice are among the pests that particularly like to make themselves comfortable on the apple tree. If left untreated, they weaken the tree so much that it becomes more susceptible to secondary diseases, from which it can even die.
What are bloodlice and how do they damage the apple tree?
Bloodlice (Eriosoma lanigerum), which arewell protected against environmental influencesby a layer of wax, belong to theaphids. They settle on the shoots of the apple tree and feed on the plant juices. The injuries result in characteristic ulcers, the blood louse cancer.
How do I recognize bloodlice on apple trees?
Blood licesit undertheirwoolly-white wax excretions. The pests, which originally come from North America, are about two millimeters in size. If you crush the insects, a blood-red juice comes out. The lice owe their German name to this property.
The animals overwinter as young larvae in protected places, for example in cracks in the bark of apple trees. After winter rest, they migrate to the branches and shoots of the trees, where they begin their feeding activity. By the end of May they had come together to form colonies that looked like little cotton balls.
What effects do bloodlice have on apple trees?
The sucking activity of the pests leads tobark damagein the form ofbulging thickenings,theblood louse cancer. These can tear open and then form the entry point for other pathogens such as black bark blight or fruit tree canker.
If you don't fight the bloodlice and they feast on the apple tree's sap for several years, this will massively weaken the tree. This results in poorer growth, wood maturity is delayed and dangerous fungal diseases can occur.
How can I prevent bloodlice on apple trees?
Since bloodlice overwinter in the furrows of the bark,good trunk care is an important preventive measure:
- Brush off the bark.
- Creating glue rings prevents the lice from penetrating the crown.
- Nasturtium sown on the tree disc keeps the pests away.
- Promote the settlement of ladybirds, earwigs, parasitic and feeding wasps.
- Cultivate only resistant apple varieties in endangered locations.
How can I get rid of bloodlice on apples?
Despite the fact that the bloodlice are well protected by their wax layer, there aremany effective home remedies:
- You can easily crush small colonies with gloves.
- Cut out branches infected with blood louse cankers and seal the wound with tree wax.
- Sprays with fern extract or soft soap and spirit solution are effective. If there is a severe infestation, you can apply these environmentally friendly preparations several times.
Tip
Bloodlice also damage other fruit trees
The blood louse attacks not only apple trees, but all trees with apple-like fruits such as quince, medlar, firethorn, redthorn and hawthorn. If the pests have settled on your apple tree, you should also check these trees and treat them if necessary.
