Posted on 05/18/2006 3:14:34 PM PDT by Lexinom
Boy, I sure hope this ends up in General/Chat and not in Breaking News!
We are new homeowners and need some advice on eliminating insect infestations on several (about a dozen) fruit trees, mostly apple and pie cherry.
The insects in question are black, about the shape of ladybugs but smaller and with white markings. They are prolific - I killed two in the process of mating. Anyone have any experience in this area? Any advice would be very much appreciated!
Apple and pie cherry trees...yum!
That's what the bugs think :-(
Take some samples to your local garden center. (Not Home Depot or Lowes) Find out where your local landscaping and farming contractors go.
Our guy suggested spraying Malathion on our citrus trees, though not when they're in bloom, or if we're about to harvest. It cleared up a problem that turned out to be mites that were causing all of the new leaves to curl up.
Use less soap in the yard, it will stretch it. BTW I have lemon and grapefruit trees and banana plants. For the banana trees (about 50 of them) I sometimes have to use malathion. Thats good on insects on fruit trees, too. But dont spray it with soap or insecticide when the blossoms are on it (it will kill the bees) or when the fruit is young or about to be picked.
Oh just saw your in Wash. You dont need it for the yard cause you dont have sandy soil. I used to live in Auburn. But the soap is good for insects. It does something like clogs their breathing passages, I think....
Go down to your county courthouse and find your County Extension Agent or more specifically your County Extension Horticultural Agent. They are employed by Washington State Universty, and have the full resources of the University behind them to handle just such problems as you describe. Their services are free, and unlike garden centers wont try to sell you their highest profit margin solution, but will give you the straight answers on what works best and then you can go to your garden center and get it.
You can find information at http://ext.wsu.edu/locations/
Thanks both of you! The blossoms have pretty much fallen off, so it sounds like we need to get the Ortho hose sprayer and either Malathion or dishsoap. The sample idea is a good one. I'll try to get that done this evening.
Thanks! I already had that very site opened before reading this, but had not seen the page you sent.
Well ya git you'self a bag a that dar "Redman"..and take a big'un of a chaw...and pop dat baby n yous mouth..and spit on da one's dat's mating...dat wills maken dim go starkcrazy..and start kannabilizn da utters....
Your suggestion is duly noted :-)
It mites tak mo din one bag....
If they're aphids the soap will do two things; kill the aphids and will wash or loosen the black sap they leave behind and a rain or watering later will wash the black stuff away. Gotta get rid of the black stuff (if there is any, or anything coating the leaves or fruit) otherwise photosynthesis is inhibited. Tree/leaves/fruit won't grow as well.
Many garden/nursery stores have switched to this for spraying their stock. No proven human toxicity as well.
http://www.ortho.com/index.cfm/event/ProductGuide.product/documentId/558bb05837f213aa3480197517586697
Ortho MAX. I'll give it a try. Getting desparate, not much time to research this.
Tried an organic product called "Safer", just one bottle. Unsure of its impact if any; bugs still present.
Thanks!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.