Cherry trees are a joy to have in your yard or garden, so discovering yours has become ill or infected can be truly disappointing. Aphids are a common culprit, but figuring out how to deal with them will take a little research. Below you will find information about aphids, how to get rid of them, and how to prevent their return.
What Are Aphids?
Aphids are common garden pests that can cause damage to your plants. They feed on plant sap and attack vegetables and trees and can reproduce at great rates. They can range in color, but they are not difficult to spot. They are relatively easy to see clustered on stems and leaves.
Cherry trees are particularly susceptible to the cherry aphid. Besides the telltale insects infesting your plant, you might notice its leaves turning yellow or brown and wilting.
How To Get Rid of Aphids on Cherry Tree
Getting rid of aphids can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. Fortunately, there are several methods you can try.
Spray the Tree
Your first goal will likely be removing the ones already on your tree so they can no longer cause damage. If you have a powerful hose, you may be able to spray them off of the plant.
Physically Remove Them
A surefire way to get rid of aphids is to simply remove them by hand. This particular tactic will allow you to address the plant up close. You can do this by wiping them off. Even if you do not choose this method for the entire plant, you should look over the leaves and stem to remove any leftover insects.
Try Commercial Insecticide
Several commercial insecticides are effective against aphids. Some are sprays, while others come in the form of powder. It’s essential to read the instructions on each individual package to ensure you use it correctly.
Try Essential Oils
There are some smells that insects can’t stand to be around. An effective way of using these scents is by purchasing essential oils. Peppermint is often selected to keep pests out of the garden.
Remove the Tree
If an infestation has gotten out of hand, sometimes the only option is to remove the tree entirely. Otherwise, you risk the infection spreading to healthy parts of your garden. In cases like these, you will need to do some research or hire a professional who can safely take the plant down.
Preventing Aphids
Aphids are common garden pests, so sometimes, the best way to deal with them is to prevent them from taking over in the first place. Below are a few tips on preventing aphids on a cherry tree.
- Don’t apply too much fertilizer. Aphids love the extra boost of nutrients it supplies. Instead, opt for a slow-release fertilizer that controls how much of the nutrients make it to the plant.
- Create an environment suitable for aphid predators. Ladybugs, hornets, and some beetles all enjoy feasting on aphids and are great at helping keep them in check.
- Like essential oils, certain plants can keep aphids out of your garden. Onions, garlic, and basil are all aphid repellent.
- Keep a close eye on your plants. Catching an aphid infestation right away makes all the difference in how challenging it might be to solve a problem.
Conclusion
Finding aphids on your cherry tree can be distressing, but that doesn’t mean it’s the end of your plant. Learning methods to keep them at bay is often all it takes to ensure your tree’s safety. If you feel unsure about how to tackle and fix the problem, you can contact your local nursery to ask for suggestions.