Many questions sent to me right
now are about bugs appearing on fruit trees and vegetables. Remember, never
apply sprays of any sort while fruit trees are blooming. My first
recommendations for pest control are natural or organic spray remedies. If my recommendations
are not natural or organic, I will tell you they are conventional spray
remedies.
now are about bugs appearing on fruit trees and vegetables. Remember, never
apply sprays of any sort while fruit trees are blooming. My first
recommendations for pest control are natural or organic spray remedies. If my recommendations
are not natural or organic, I will tell you they are conventional spray
remedies.
Yes, it will cost you more money
but always use a wetting agent combined with any sprays used for controlling
insects, diseases and weeds. A wetting agent is not needed when applying
insecticidal soap sprays. Soap sprays can be combined with other insecticides
and act as a substitute for a wetting agent.
but always use a wetting agent combined with any sprays used for controlling
insects, diseases and weeds. A wetting agent is not needed when applying
insecticidal soap sprays. Soap sprays can be combined with other insecticides
and act as a substitute for a wetting agent.
 |
| Insecticidal soap commercial size |
Big
problems right now are aphids on all fruit trees as well is young vegetable
transplants. Aphids inhabit the undersides of leaves where it is darker and
less obvious to their predators. Aphids are now feeding, colonizing and
building their populations exponentially. They are sucking plant juices from
the leaves and excreting a sweet, sticky substance called honeydew.
problems right now are aphids on all fruit trees as well is young vegetable
transplants. Aphids inhabit the undersides of leaves where it is darker and
less obvious to their predators. Aphids are now feeding, colonizing and
building their populations exponentially. They are sucking plant juices from
the leaves and excreting a sweet, sticky substance called honeydew.
 |
| Apricot leaves with aphid honeydew |
Soon
aphids will attract ants that collect this honeydew. Ants then climb the tree
in long, continuous rows that go back and forth from the aphids to their nest
which is usually in the ground. Many people will try to control the ants but
ignore the aphids. To control ants, control the aphids.
aphids will attract ants that collect this honeydew. Ants then climb the tree
in long, continuous rows that go back and forth from the aphids to their nest
which is usually in the ground. Many people will try to control the ants but
ignore the aphids. To control ants, control the aphids.
 |
| Aphids and ants together with aphids only there due to the presence of aphids |
Soap and water sprays are very
effective if sprayed directly on the aphids. Please use either a commercial
insecticidal soap or an unscented liquid detergent that contains no hand care
products. I prefer a liquid Castile soap for insect control but it can be more
expensive than purchasing and insecticidal soap. Some people use Dr. Bonners.
effective if sprayed directly on the aphids. Please use either a commercial
insecticidal soap or an unscented liquid detergent that contains no hand care
products. I prefer a liquid Castile soap for insect control but it can be more
expensive than purchasing and insecticidal soap. Some people use Dr. Bonners.
 |
| Aphids and ants on the same apricot leaves |
Horticultural oils are also
effective and can be safely used after bloom and until temperatures reach about
85° F. Horticultural oils are refined mineral oils. Neem oil is an oil spray
and can be used as a substitute for horticultural oils if you choose.
effective and can be safely used after bloom and until temperatures reach about
85° F. Horticultural oils are refined mineral oils. Neem oil is an oil spray
and can be used as a substitute for horticultural oils if you choose.
 |
| Horticultural oil commercial size |
If you have nectarine, Western
flower thrips are likely attacking the fruit right now. They have been
attacking the flowers even before they were open. These tiny winged insects are
poor flyers but able to go the short distances between fruit and attack them,
ripping at the skin of the fruit causing it to “bleed” sap which they use as
food. The ripping of the skin causes it to scab, become deformed and ugly.
Western flower thrips are responsible for the ugly, deformed appearance of
nectarine fruit.
flower thrips are likely attacking the fruit right now. They have been
attacking the flowers even before they were open. These tiny winged insects are
poor flyers but able to go the short distances between fruit and attack them,
ripping at the skin of the fruit causing it to “bleed” sap which they use as
food. The ripping of the skin causes it to scab, become deformed and ugly.
Western flower thrips are responsible for the ugly, deformed appearance of
nectarine fruit.
 |
| Thrips damage to immature apricot |
Spray the fruit now with an
insecticide containing Spinosad listed in the ingredients. Direct your sprays primarily
at the fruit because that’s what you are protecting.
insecticide containing Spinosad listed in the ingredients. Direct your sprays primarily
at the fruit because that’s what you are protecting.
One spray application of
Spinosad is not be enough to protect the fruit from scarring. You must spray it
multiple times as the fruit is developing if you want it unscarred. Alternate
Spinosad sprays with soap and oil sprays weekly.
Spinosad is not be enough to protect the fruit from scarring. You must spray it
multiple times as the fruit is developing if you want it unscarred. Alternate
Spinosad sprays with soap and oil sprays weekly.