"LindaB" <kapana@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
news:69n9545b3squjpc52j5o429mm583pmct28@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Hi Everyone,
>
> I have a friend with extensive woolly aphids on a mature apple. It is
> the second year they are there, so they are widespread, on scars on
> trunk etc. So just cutting them off will not work alone.
>
> Added to that, his wife has multiple illnesses, and they are trying
> not to use any hazardous chemicals.
>
> Can anyone suggest a treatment. I was tempted to say pyrethrum or
> detergent, but would appreciate advice.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Linda
> kapana@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
len said, white oil will do the trick. (the composition is something
like 1 part veg or olive oil to 8 parts water & a wee drop of detergent -
it
suffocates them) shake well & spray on to the aphids with any sort of
squirter or pump with a fine spray. this can cause a bit of sunburn on the
leaves in summer if you're not careful, but won't have any effect on the
tree this time of year.
if there are as many as it sounds, bru****ng off the main clumps with a
stiff
brush might help most at first (you can use kerosene or metho on the brush
to kill them too if you want, but the reality of aphids is that once
they're
off the plant, they're mostly stuffed, as most of them can't fly & will be
squashed in the process anyway).
in my limited experience of apple trees, it seems to me that some of them
are plagued with woolly aphid & some are not, & your friend will need to
check & treat again later on. after the first treatment, leave it for a
week
or 2 & then he can find & kill the survivors. but he will need to keep
checking for a while (or indefinitely ;-). a few aphids make no real
difference to the tree's health, but if there are too many it will.
kylie
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