What can I do to get rid of aphid suckers? - Ask Extension
At first I thought there were worms on my bay tree. Gross! Then I learned they are aphid suckers. The tree is a few feet from blueberry and raspber...
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What can I do to get rid of aphid suckers? #875585
Asked July 02, 2024, 12:20 AM EDT
At first I thought there were worms on my bay tree. Gross! Then I learned they are aphid suckers. The tree is a few feet from blueberry and raspberry plants, so I cut off the limbs where the aphids were to try to get rid of them. I didn't think there was a spray that I would be safe for the berries. Is there a better way to get rid of them? Thanks!
Washington County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi and thanks for your question about the bugs on your bay tree. It looks from your pictures like you might have several things going on. You did right to cut off the leaves with the curl, as the insects use that as a protection from whatever you might spray.
The next (and usually the first) thing to try is a strong spray of plain water, the harshest you can get from a hose to knock off most of the bugs. These bugs seem to like your bay tree better than the raspberries, so don't worry about them finding their way somewhere else, especially with our heat dome about to arrive.
If you want to try a spray, use something like neem oil or safer soap. You don't say how big your bay is, but a hand squirt bottle will be fine if it's not too big. Insects do like stressed plants best, so keep your blueberries and raspberries watered during the next few days, well, probably the whole week unless the heat dome breaks early.
You are going to wash your blueberries and raspberries before you eat them anyway, so they are not in danger if you need to try something stronger.
There is a possibility that some of the white fuzz on the branch in the picture is a scale insect. In this case, if it doesn't wash off, you will want to try neem oil or other horticultural oil to smother them.
Best of luck,
The next (and usually the first) thing to try is a strong spray of plain water, the harshest you can get from a hose to knock off most of the bugs. These bugs seem to like your bay tree better than the raspberries, so don't worry about them finding their way somewhere else, especially with our heat dome about to arrive.
If you want to try a spray, use something like neem oil or safer soap. You don't say how big your bay is, but a hand squirt bottle will be fine if it's not too big. Insects do like stressed plants best, so keep your blueberries and raspberries watered during the next few days, well, probably the whole week unless the heat dome breaks early.
You are going to wash your blueberries and raspberries before you eat them anyway, so they are not in danger if you need to try something stronger.
There is a possibility that some of the white fuzz on the branch in the picture is a scale insect. In this case, if it doesn't wash off, you will want to try neem oil or other horticultural oil to smother them.
Best of luck,
