10 June 2024

Customer Question – What is this?

Q. “Can you identify this please and suggest a solution?” Many thanks Karen

A. Thanks for the message and this is woolly aphids and we use a combination of SB Invigorator spray and Lacewing Larvae. 

Using Lacewing Larvae to control Woolly aphids – Woolly aphids flourish between spring & autumn, infesting the trunk and branches of trees, resulting in them being covered with a fluffy white waxy “wool”. Woolly aphids over-winter in cracks in the bark and then as temperatures rise in the spring they become active and start feeding. Woolly Aphids feed by sucking sap from beneath the bark and at the same time they start to secrete their characteristic white, woolly coating. Infestations peak in the summer, when the aphids spread onto the younger shoots and winged forms develop to fly off to spread the infestation around the garden. As woolly aphids feed, lumpy growths in the bark develop and then during the winter these swellings can split due to freezing temperatures which allows fungal diseases such as apple canker to develop. To control woolly aphids, use a combination of SB Invigorator natural spray and Lacewing Larvae – Spray 1st with Sb Invigorator natural spray at least TWICE to kill as many aphids as possible – it’s a good idea to brush affected areas with a stiff brush as well if you can reach. You should then release the Lacewing Larvae 7 days later into the tree to give on-going control.

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