Hey everyone! I've noticed that my young apple tree in my small back garden is being overrun by aphids (greenfly). I've got a few other potted plants including blueberry bushes, a blackberry bush, and some herbs like thyme and rosemary. The leaves on the apple tree are curling and some are blackening and dying. I tried using Westland bug guard yesterday, but it seems like the aphids are still hanging around. I've ordered some Neem oil that's on the way, but I'm looking for any other tips you might have to tackle this issue. Thanks for your help!
3 Answers
I'm in an urban area too, and I understand the challenge of finding natural predators like ladybirds. They might not stick around if there isn’t enough vegetation. While waiting for your wildflowers to grow until late April or May is one option, you might need immediate action to protect your young apple tree. Just remember that a balance is key; using chemicals can sometimes drive away the predators in the long run!
A popular method for dealing with aphids is making a soapy water spray. Just mix a little soap with water in a spray bottle, spray it on the aphids, and let it sit for about 30 minutes. After that, rinse them off with a strong spray from the hose. It really works! You could also think about buying ladybirds online, they’re quite effective against aphids too!
You should definitely consider ladybird larvae—they love munching on aphids! Once they turn into ladybirds, they'll stick around your apple tree, making it a great natural solution. If you want a more hands-on approach, you can gently scrub the aphids off with a soft toothbrush dipped in soapy water. Just make sure to check for ants; they might be protecting the aphids, which could mess up your ladybird plan!
That’s a good point! If ants are present, they can hinder the ladybird larvae from doing their job. You might want to tackle the ant problem first.