14 October 2024

Customer Question – Woolly Aphids

Q. “Woolly Aphids – I’ve trained a crab apple into a fan (see below) and it’s looking lovely, but has had woolly aphids for the last 2 years with a very heavy infestation last year. I’ve been using a chemical spray (Bug Clear Ultra) as I didn’t want to lose the tree and also squash them with my fingers. With work/holidays/life I couldn’t keep it under control last year. Over winter there has been a bit of it still about and I’ve continued to spray and squash them. There are lots of knobbles (cankers?) on the branches. I’d like to plan ahead and know when to stop using spray before buying one of your products. My small fruit trees also get green aphids so please could you advise lacewing or ladybird larvae. Thank you. “ from Helen

A. “Thanks for the message and what a super job you have done Fan training, but that is quite an infestation of Woolly Aphids. SB Invigorator is the answer especially while the tree is small and accessible. Spray now and then again in 7 days when it is due to be dry to kill as much of the pest as possible – it is important the spray dries on the pest. Then spray again as needed as and when new outbreaks occur. I would then wait for the leaves to drop, clear them away and then again spray the branches and truck to clear any over-wintering pests – again do it when it is due to be dry.

Then next spring / summer, if the pest re-appears introduce some Lacewing Larvae as soon as the first “wool” appears. Hopefully that will not be necessary as Sb Invigorator is normally very effective against Woolly Aphids.”

Available to buy now