This
time of year is a busy time for home horticulturists. Now that we have finished
fertilizing landscape and fruit trees and increased irrigations as temperatures
warm, we turn to pest problems.
Spring
growth attracts overwintering insects. Soft, succulent new growth is easy to
feed on. Insects like aphids move to new spring growth to feed and have their
young. Expect aphids to begin feeding and multiplying on the undersides of
leaves now and through cool weather.
growth attracts overwintering insects. Soft, succulent new growth is easy to
feed on. Insects like aphids move to new spring growth to feed and have their
young. Expect aphids to begin feeding and multiplying on the undersides of
leaves now and through cool weather.
 |
| Aphids like to spend the winter on weeds close to the ground, particularly just below loose mulch. This protects them from cold and still allows them to feed through the winter. They leave weeds and migrate to spring growth when temperatures warm. |
If your
landscape is a healthy one, you will see an explosion of ladybird beetles or
ladybugs and green lacewings. The young of these insects are voracious feeders
upon small, soft-bodied insects like aphids. These adult predators lay eggs in
areas where their young can easily feed.
landscape is a healthy one, you will see an explosion of ladybird beetles or
ladybugs and green lacewings. The young of these insects are voracious feeders
upon small, soft-bodied insects like aphids. These adult predators lay eggs in
areas where their young can easily feed.
Signs
that aphids are present and feeding are the curled edges of new leaf growth.
However, what might attract your attention more are ants. When the leaf is
turned over and the leaf edge uncurled you will see adult aphids and their
young feeding. Their feeding creates a sugary sap that ants relish.
that aphids are present and feeding are the curled edges of new leaf growth.
However, what might attract your attention more are ants. When the leaf is
turned over and the leaf edge uncurled you will see adult aphids and their
young feeding. Their feeding creates a sugary sap that ants relish.
 |
| Aphids prefer the undersides of leaves like on this apricot leaf. This gives them more protection. If you are planning to spray, you must spray the undersides of leaves, not just the tops. |
Soap and
water sprays directed on them and spaced several days apart are usually enough
to control aphids. Most people will spray the top sides of the leaves to
control insects. But when aphids are inside the curls on the underside of the
leaf, they can be a challenge to control with just soap and water.
water sprays directed on them and spaced several days apart are usually enough
to control aphids. Most people will spray the top sides of the leaves to
control insects. But when aphids are inside the curls on the underside of the
leaf, they can be a challenge to control with just soap and water.
If you
an adherent to organic methods of pest control then multiple sprays directed
toward the tops and bottoms of leaves will be necessary. Most organic methods
do not persist. Multiple applications may be needed a few days apart for good
control.
an adherent to organic methods of pest control then multiple sprays directed
toward the tops and bottoms of leaves will be necessary. Most organic methods
do not persist. Multiple applications may be needed a few days apart for good
control.