How to effectively treat a peach tree against aphids

Cause and signs of appearance

Early detection of aphids will help protect trees from the destructive insect and produce a good harvest of fragrant, juicy fruit.

To detect pests early, you need to carefully inspect the entire tree—from stems to leaves. Black aphids are easy to spot because they form large swarms. If you notice black spots on the undersides of stems and leaves, you're dealing with aphids. Flower buds are often covered in honeydew—the aphid's secretions. Signs of aphid infestation also include yellow, curled, spotted leaves, with small brown and green flea beetles easily visible within. Dead and dried tips indicate aphid infestation on the peach tree.

After an aphid attack, the peach tree's yield decreases and it becomes more susceptible to frost. Once the pest is identified, it must be destroyed. There are many different ways to control this pest. So, let's figure out how to deal with aphids on peaches.

Which processing method should I choose?

Agricultural technology

Gardeners often advise against resorting to chemicals and instead try affordable agricultural practices. So, first, remove all weeds and remove any root growth. Next, scrape off the old bark on the trunk and branches. Connect a hose and use a jet of water to remove the aphids from the foliage until the bloody color disappears. Planting herbs around the peach or nectarine tree is an excellent remedy.

Mechanical methods can be used if the peach tree is small. In this case, you can knock off the aphids with a broom or brush, pluck off any affected leaves, and burn them. Be careful to burn the leaves outside the garden plot. In the fall, you can sprinkle ash around the trunk and pour boiling water over it. The ash, when mixed with the water, makes the roots bitter, which repels the pest. Boiling water also kills the larvae. Next season, plant dill and mint nearby to discourage the pest from growing on peach trees.

Chemicals

If you do resort to the "heavy artillery" of chemicals to control aphids on your peach tree, remember that the toxic properties remain for 20 days, so you shouldn't treat the fruit close to harvest. Control the pest should begin in early spring, before the leaves emerge, or immediately after the tree blooms. Spray the tree with insecticides. These products paralyze the aphids, killing them within three days. Gardeners consider Aktara, DNOC, Confidor, and Karbofos to be the most effective. If the treatment is successful, the results will be visible within a week.

Traditional methods

You can control aphids with folk remedies at any stage of peach crop development. The most effective recipes include:

• Onion peel infusion. Boil the peels in water for 20 minutes, cover, and let sit for 5 days. Then strain, add laundry soap, pour into a spray bottle, and spray the plant. Diluting the infusion with water is not recommended.
• Garlic infusion. Crush a cup of garlic and add 1 liter of cold water. Let it steep for 24 hours. Then add 100 g of laundry soap, dilute with water, and use.
• Spice mix. Mix equal amounts of cinnamon, red and black pepper, mustard, salt, baking soda, and wood ash. Dissolve 200 g of soap in warm water, add the dry mix, and then add 9 liters of water. Spray twice, one week apart.
• Tobacco tincture. Dissolve 200 g of tobacco powder in 10 liters of water, let steep for 3 days, and mix with soapy water.

How and when to process

To protect peach trees from aphids, the tree is treated several times a year. Preventative measures are not carried out only in winter. Any pests that survive the winter should be eliminated before the buds begin to swell. The beginning of bud break is also an important time for comprehensive disease and pest control. Peach trees are also sprayed with fungicides during and after flowering. Aphids are difficult to control, so it's best to prevent pests from multiplying. In summer, treatment is recommended only as needed.

Be careful when using chemicals to avoid burning the tree along with the bugs. Young trees can be particularly sensitive to some chemicals, so try spraying the chosen solution on a single branch. Wait 24 hours; if the branch's appearance doesn't change, then you can apply the treatment to the entire tree.

If aphids have already appeared on your peach tree and you're wondering what treatment to use, first consider alternative treatments that will cause minimal damage to the tree. Use chemicals only when absolutely necessary.

Effective prevention

To avoid searching for ways to get rid of aphids, it's best to conduct regular preventative treatments. There's a specific schedule of preventative treatments that, if followed, will protect your peach crop from pests and preserve your harvest.

After all the leaves have fallen from the tree, the plant should be sprayed with Bordeaux mixture. Immediately before flowering, it's a good idea to spray with Tizol, and after flowering, again with Bordeaux mixture. Also, make sure you always have Actofit in your first aid kit. It can be used with laundry soap as a first aid against aphid attacks.

Video: How to Treat Peach Leaf Curl

This video will show you how to treat leaf curl on peach trees.