Black cherry aphid: fighting lice on cherry trees naturally

The black cherry aphid is common, but it can be controlled fairly effectively with a variety of home remedies. Here you will find an overview of the natural aphid control agents as well as helpful tips on how to prevent them!

Cherry trees are often attacked by aphids. In particular with young trees, an infestation can cause great damage and even to Growth inhibitions to lead. It is therefore advisable to act as quickly as possible in the event of an aphid infestation. The hobby gardener does not have to resort to chemical agents for this! Because the unwanted pests can also be successfully combated with simple home remedies!

Fight black cherry aphids

water

If the lice have only recently spread on the cherry tree, the number of pests is usually still low. In this case it is worthwhile to simply fill the cherry tree with one hard water jet to spray and to spray the aphids from the leaves. This method can also be repeated without hesitation.

Nettle manure

Hobby gardeners not only like nettle manure as fertilizer used. Because it has proven to be effective against pests such as the black cherry aphid. To do this, the entire tree is sprayed with the nettle manure. The liquid manure ensures that the leaves become harder and can no longer be eaten by the aphids. It is important that the tree is sprayed in its entirety and not just individual leaves. Otherwise, the lice would simply migrate to untreated leaves. Nettle manure is easy to make yourself, but you need a little patience:

• 1 kilo of nettles in around 10 liters of water
• both dried and fresh nettle leaves
• let soak for several days
• Stir again and again in between
• when no more bubbles rise, it is done

Soapy water

Another home remedy for aphids is a simple soapy solution, which can also be prepared in a few simple steps. The soapy water forms a film on the leaves and ensures that the lice can no longer breathe. To make the soapy water, around 50 grams of core or soft soap, 50 milliliters of alcohol and one liter of water are required. The natural pesticide can then be prepared from these ingredients as follows:

• Mix the ingredients
• Spray the cherry tree generously with it
• repeat if necessary
• every 2-3 days

Note: Soapy water is not only effective against lice, but also against ants.

tobacco

Tobacco contains numerous substances that are toxic not only to humans but also to the black cherry aphid. In order to fight the aphids with the help of tobacco, tobacco stock must first be made. For this, either 50 grams of tobacco or cigarettes or Cigarette butts required. It is also advisable to use an old saucepan for the preparation:

• Put the ingredients in boiling water
• let it steep for a few hours
• until a brown broth is formed
• Then filter through the tobacco stock
• Remove the remains as well
• Spray the tree with the tobacco stock

Note: Alternatively, the cigarettes can simply be soaked in a bucket of water for several days.

Garlic broth

Garlic is part of the standard kitchen repertoire in many households and is a popular ingredient in many dishes. In addition to the typical smell and taste, garlic is also characterized by its cleaning and disinfecting properties. Garlic broth not only strengthens the resilience of the cherry tree, but also combats unwanted lice. It is practical that the home remedy can be prepared quickly and easily:

• Crush 1-2 cloves of garlic
• Fill the pot with around one liter of water
• Bring the garlic pieces to the boil briefly
• Filter out bits
• Sprinkle the tree with the garlic broth
• repeat several times

Note: To make garlic broth, you can simply pour boiling water over the pieces of garlic. The mixture then has to steep for around an hour.

Neem oil

Anyone looking for a biological, but still strong, remedy is well advised to use neem oil. Originating from Asia, the oil is one of the most popular home remedies for pests and can easily remove aphids. For this, however, the cherry tree is not sprayed with pure neem oil, as this would be too strict for it. It is better to use the neem oil as follows:

• Mix 5 ml neem oil with 1 liter of water
• Spray the tree with it
• repeat every 2-3 days
• never spray directly onto the substrate

Prevent black cherry aphids

Aphids can be combated with a wide variety of home remedies, but it is better to avoid an infestation from the outset. The use of Predators is not only natural but also effective! In order for the predators of the black cherry aphid to settle in the garden, it must be managed as naturally as possible. For this it is important that the garden offers both a large variety of plants and mixed cultures.

insects

There are numerous insects in the garden, which can be very valuable for the hobby gardener. In the fight against the black cherry aphid, ladybirds, hoverflies, lacewings and parasitic wasps have proven to be particularly effective. If these do not find their way into the garden naturally, they can also be bought in specialist stores:

• Insect hotels
• Fly boxes
• Deadwood corners

Birds

Birds are also considered natural enemies of lice and can prevent infestation. In order for birds to settle in the home garden, it must offer both retreat and nesting options for them.

Fertilize

The cherry tree may like to be fertilized, but caution is advised here. Because the choice of fertilizer can definitely favor an infestation with aphids! If you want to prevent aphids, you should use excessive fertilization nitrogen waive. There are two reasons for this: On the one hand, the black cherry aphid benefits from nitrogenous fertilization. On the other hand, it harms its natural enemies. If you fertilize the cherry tree excessively with nitrogen, you create the ideal conditions for an aphid infestation.