Do I have aphids in my trees?

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Q: I was walking around my property, taking stock of whats going on, and inspected my pine trees for damage from the last few storms. I was startled when I found gobs of small black bugs clustered in nooks and along lots of the stems!

Most have clear wings and look a lot like aphids that Ive seen but they are black! What do my trees have and should I be worried? E.G., Albuquerque

A: Worried? You better be! Youre correct in your recognition of the critters, they are aphids.

Amazingly, aphids are like chameleons in a way as they can come in several colors. No, they dont change colors, there are just lots of different types. Ive seen white ones, black ones, sort of a pale pink colored ones and the typical green ones in my life. But theyre aphids, nonetheless, and able to inflict a whole host of trouble. So, Ill suggest you treat your trees and do it soon.

Consider spraying with a pesticide like malathion or pyrethrin to gain an upper hand for this, your initial strike at control. If you have concerns about applying a strong pesticide, spray with a dormant oil. Read your pesticide labels for restrictions as to temperature and frequency of the pesticide you choose, but if the infestation is a bad one, get a good knock down with a strong pesticide then change to a more environmentally friendly one for any follow-up sprayings you might need to apply.

However, do it soon as birds are going to start nesting soon and spraying them is harsh!

Monitor the trees throughout the coming growing season and treat them, if necessary. One of the simplest ways to treat for aphids is with water. Spray the tree with the hardest jet of water it can stand! That would disrupt the aphid colonies for sure and helps prevent a secondary malady called sooty mold that can lead to more stress for your trees.

Be sure you arent over-fertilizing your trees, either. It sounds weird, but a too well-fed plant is an attractant for aphids!

I know the weather this weekend isnt conducive to getting out and taking care of business, but dont put it off any longer than necessary. Aphids can cause a whole lot of trouble if they are allowed free rein in your trees!

See the article here:
Do I have aphids in my trees?