PHOTO: Virginia Department of Forestry
Wooly Aphids- Those Little White Fluffs
Recently, wooly aphids have hit Middle Tennessee very hard, to the point where there’s a full-fledged infestation in this region. But you do have to wonder, what are wooly aphids and how can you get rid of them? Read onward to find that out!
What are wooly aphids?
Courtesy of Wikipedia.
These are sap-sucking insects. They are rather small, most of the time they will have around ¼ inches. The wooly aphids, in particular, have a waxy, white material that covers their body. That’s what makes them look fuzzy, although the insects are either blue or green. Also, the bug is elongated and brown.
A thing to note about these insects is that they require 2 hosts, one for feeding during the summer and one for winterization. The latter one will be used for laying eggs during spring as well.
During the summer, the wooly aphids are flying, and they search trees to start their new infection. When autumn comes, they will create their own nest into the apple tree bark. During spring and up until summer, they will feed on the sap of that tree, and they will reproduce very fast.
What type of damage is caused by wooly aphids?
They may seem harmless at first, but they aren’t. They will attack the bark, and this will weaken the tree. It will open it to other infestations and various types of diseases. The bumps can also be opened during frost periods, and this can lead to canker attacks next year.
How to prevent wooly aphid infestations?
Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Make sure that you purchase apple trees on rootstocks. These are known to lower the likelihood of wooly aphid attacks. Another great method would be to use pruning methods, and you can avoid tree bark damage this way. Make sure that you need to do pruning the right way, otherwise this can lead to a huge range of problems.
Eliminating wooly aphids
Usually, the best way to deal with wooly aphids is to use chemical pesticides. Make sure that you follow the rules and regulations when it comes to using pesticides within your own property. Usually, each product will come with it’s own recommended usage times and instructions.
You can also use organic methods, in this case, you need to use a very powerful jet of water directly on the wooly aphid nest. This will help remove most of these pests. If there are any more remaining, then using a small brush and a bit of soapy water can come in handy. Repeat treatments often, in case you have some branches that still show any sign of infestation.
Moreover, you can also try to use some of the wooly aphid natural enemies like hoverfly larvae, lacewings or ladybirds. Earwings on fruit trees can help quite a lot too, and the best part is that they won’t damage your apple tree.
As you can see, dealing with the wooly aphids can be quite challenging, but with the right approach, you will be able to obtain the best results in no time. Study all the options, use a trial and error approach, then you will have no problem obtaining the best experience when dealing with such pests!
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