Aphid on apple tree may appear with a high probability, so for everyone who wants to protect their crops, it is very important to know how to deal with them. Aphid is a small insect, the size of which does not exceed 4-7 mm, however it is the most dangerous pest of garden and fruit crops. Thousands of apple trees are attacked by these pests each year, with significant crop losses. In a short time, several aphids can turn into a whole regiment and get to any area, as they migrate through the air. There are a number of proven effective preventive measures against aphids on apple trees, which will help minimize the likelihood of mass reproduction in the garden of this pest.
Why does aphid appear on apples, and how to find it
An apple-tree is struck by a red-headed or gray aphid about 2-3 mm long, with a red head and a black back and tail. Eggs overwinter on the bark of an apple tree, and in spring females are born from them, which contribute to the reproduction of entire colonies on a tree. The insect females are highly fertile and can produce 40 larvae at a time. Active aphids multiply in September. Aphid attacks only those plants that have a high content of amino acids in the juice of the leaves. This may be due to a lack of potassium, phosphorus, or an excess of nitrogen. Identifying aphid on an apple is easy: the affected leaves begin to curl down, turn black and dry. Then red blisters appear on the leaves, which signify a further twisting and dying of the leaf.
Due to the defeat of the aphids, the leaves become covered with sticky liquid. This is the pad on which the ants crawl. The appearance of ants is also one of the symptoms of the presence of aphids on apple trees. In the early stages it is difficult to identify a pest on a tree, as the aphid begins to settle on top of it. Over time, when insects eat out all the fresh leaves of the apex, they descend to the lower branches, where they are easy to detect, just enough to turn over any leaf. Since, in addition to eating the leaves, this insect is a dangerous carrier of viral diseases, it is necessary to destroy the aphids on the apple tree immediately after detection.
Unfortunately, even on the most well-groomed and properly processed area there is a high probability of hitting the apple tree. Since these pests migrate through the air, they can easily fly in from neighboring areas.
Did you know? Aphid - one of the largest groups of insects, which brings together about 4000 species. Of these, nearly 1,000 live in Europe. Every year, scientists describe more and more new species of this pest.
How to protect seedlings and mature trees from aphids
Today, the chemical industry is actively developing and to combat insect pests, including aphids, can offer a wide range of pesticides. At the same time, experienced gardeners use folk pest control methods that have proven to be effective. In addition, biological methods of insect control are widely used as prevention. Next, we take a closer look at how to protect the apple crop from aphids.
However, considering the effectiveness of one or another method of controlling insect pests, one cannot call one method a panacea for all cases, since the effectiveness of measures depends on the conditions at the site, the number of trees and associated plants. Sometimes it is even necessary to apply all measures in the complex, because the aphid is a living organism, and it can develop addiction to one or another means.
Important! Do not underestimate the harm that the aphid does to an apple orchard. Many of its species spread dangerous diseases and plant viruses and can cause various anomalies, such as galls and gall-like formations, from which it is impossible to get rid of.
Chemical substances
If a large number of insects that eat aphids (for example, a ladybug) are not found on the garden plot, then it will be the most accurate way to destroy it with chemical preparations. It is very important not to miss the time while planning methods of dealing with aphids. Early spring, when the buds are just starting to bloom, and there is an optimal time to process the trees for aphids. During this period, the probability of burning the leaves is minimized, but the damage to the aphid larvae will be significant.
A very effective remedy for eliminating most species of hibernating larvae and insects is Nitrofen. It is necessary to dilute 200 g of the drug in 10 liters of water and process the infected tree before bud break. It is also highly effective "Olekuprit", its 4% solution also destroys aphids eggs. Before the flowering of the apple tree, Kinmiks can also be used. It is just shown to kill insects that suck the leaves from the juices and gnaw the plants.
The solution should be made according to the recommendations of the instructions, after spraying the drug will start working within an hour and protect the tree for two to three weeks. Other aphids on trees that are popular with gardeners are Karate and Inta-Vir. The first is highly economical consumption: 10 liters of solution is enough to process 1 hundred square meters of land. And the second, “Inta-Vir”, effectively fights with more than 50 types of pests, including apple aphids. 
A single spraying is not enough to completely destroy aphids; however, for re-treatment, sparing preparations are needed which will not burn the leaves. These include "Iskra", "Decis" and "Cypermethrin". "Spark" - an effective tool that will help destroy young larvae throughout the growing season of the apple tree. It is necessary to dissolve 1 tablet of the drug in 10 liters of water. You can spray the trees with this solution every 18-20 days.
Did you know? According to statistics, the average amount of apple treatment with pesticides during the growing season is in the southern latitudes - 13-16, in the middle - 8-10.
How to deal with aphids on apple folk methods
Even our ancestors knew how to get rid of pests on apple trees, gardeners use their recipes today. There are many types of infusions and solutions against insect pests that can be easily prepared at home using available tools. In addition, a big plus of such solutions is that they are environmentally friendly and are suitable for those who are skeptical of toxic chemicals. 
Experienced gardeners have long concluded that the aphid does not attack crops under which ash has been introduced due to its potassium and phosphorus content. Therefore, it is very effective to bring under the root top dressing containing ash, as well as to spray the apple from aphids with a solution of ash. To prepare the solution will need 10 liters of water and 2 cups of pre-sifted ash. In order to better adhere the solution, you can add 50 g of rubbed soap. Stir the mass and let it stand, then spray the plant, aiming at the opposite side of the leaves.
Helps to fight with aphids grass celandine. If it grows on your site, you can prepare a decoction for spraying. Kilogram celandine pour 3 liters of boiling water, then add to the solution another 7 liters of hot water. Allow this solution to infuse for 2 days, then spray the apple tree.
Garlic solution is another remedy than can be treated with aphids. You need to chop 5-6 cloves of garlic, soak them in 1/2 cup of water, leave for 24 hours. Then add 1 tsp. liquid soap and 2 tsp. vegetable oil. Stir and dilute the resulting mass with water in a three-liter jar. Treat affected areas with a spray bottle. 
It is well proven in the pest control tobacco solution, which is used immediately after the detection of aphids. Take 200 grams of dried tobacco or tobacco and for two days, draw in 5 liters of water. Then strain and add another 5 liters of water and 50 g of rubbed soap. Stir well and spray the trees. Another recipe is based on the use of onion peels: 200 g of peels insist in 10 liters of hot water for 4-5 days. Spray the affected aphids trees three times every 5 days.
And the last recipe for complex aphid medicine on an apple tree, which experienced farmers consider the most effective. In a bucket of hot water, you need to dissolve 200 g of soap, a glass of steep broth of a shag, half a glass of sifted ash mixed with a quarter cup of kerosene. Even with the mass reproduction of aphids such a solution works fine.
Important! On the leaves of the apple can appear dark scurf, which means that the plant is affected by soot fungus. To get rid of this disease, you need to destroy aphids.
Biological methods: what to plant under an apple from aphids
The biological control method determines how to get rid of aphids on an apple tree using living organisms, as well as planting plants that scare them away.
Biological measures include:
- destruction of anthills. Ants are advocates of aphids, because they feed on the sweet pad released by it;
- planting beside apple trees of special plants that aphids do not like. The aroma of lavender, Dalmatian chamomile, calendula, tomato, garlic or tansy scares off various pests of fruit trees, including aphids. There are also plants that are extremely attractive for aphids, which in no case can not be planted near the apple tree. They are such as nasturtium, hypnotic poppy, kosmeya, mallow, tuberous begonia, viburnum and linden;
- the construction of birdhouses and the creation of conditions for birds that peck aphids. They are sparrows, linnets, robins, tits;
- the cultivation of insects such as ladybugs, hoverflies, golden-eyed flies and some species of wasps that eat aphids.
To attract the attention of these insects and birds, you need to plant fragrant and spicy herbs and nettles next to the apple tree.
Aphid Prevention on Apple Trees
Since it is not an easy task to fight with aphids on apple trees, requiring an integrated approach, it is not superfluous to observe some preventive measures in order to minimize the risk of a repeated pest attack. Before buying planting material, you need to carefully inspect it, because aphid can get to the site along with the seedlings.
Aphids can not bite through dense and elastic leaves, so timely and regular watering, application of fertilizing, mulching and sprinkling of treetops are necessary. It is also very important not to overload the apple tree with nitrogenous fertilizers, even organic ones, such as chicken dung. This also leads to aphids. Before leaving the apple orchard for the winter, it is necessary to destroy the aphid larvae that have settled for this period in the bark of the apple tree. To do this, in the autumn they are cleaning the bark of trees. Carefully, without damaging the healthy bark of the tree, scrape off the dead bark on the trunk and skeletal branches with a scraper or wire brush. First you need to lay a film so that the pieces of bark infected with aphids do not fall around the tree. Then collect everything and burn, along with the root shoots and wen, which are also cut off.
