Dear bajachickenkitty,

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YOUR QUESTION #0140711:

Grand Fir Aphids

Hi, Our Grand Fir Tree is about 40 feet tall. It has recently begun being infested with aphids on the new growth. I understand that this can harm the tree: Giant conifer aphids can infest grand fir trees (Abies grandis), and each species of aphid is specific to a particular tree genus or species. These aphids can be up to 1/5 inch long and range in color from gray to dark brown or black. They overwinter as eggs on twigs or branches and begin feeding on stems in the spring. Aphids can establish large colonies on twigs and may cause distorted stems or stunted growth. They also excrete large amounts of honeydew, a sweet, sticky material that can attract ants and become covered with sooty mold, a black fungus. Heavy infestations can cause yellowing of the foliage and reduce tree growth, especially in young trees. (Our Tree is about 20 years old) Glass Tree service has suggests injecting Imidacloprid into the soil to become systemic in the tree. Imidacloprid is a neonictinoid that kills indiscriminately kills insects and avian pollinators. My Question to you is: How likely is it that the Grand Fir Aphids kill the tree ? Is there another safer way to stop or curb Grand Fir Aphids ? What would you do ? :D References: Neonicotinoid pesticides exert metabolic effects on avian pollinators: https://www.nature.com/articles/s4<personal data hidden>0-3#:~:text=Furthermore%2C%20hummingbirds%20are%20chronically%20exposed,ecologically%20important%20behaviours%20in%20birds.

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