[nemie]

One of my apple tree's seems to have a lot of ants going up and down it, now there is no fruit on the tree as it is young and I pulled all the crops off, so I ask are these ants Doing me a service by killing bugs or are they eating leafs?.


What is a safe insecticide to use to spray my crops with, I seem to have a lot of these tiny black fly’s that look like green fly’s, I'm saying there not the "black fly" that is called a black fly, these look like green fly, but are black, how do I end this lol ok no more words with fly/black/or green in it.

[Trillium]

The ants are cultivating aphids in the tree which will eventually feed on the fruit whenever it shows up, sometimes on any sap wounds. The best defense is sticky bands wrapped around the trunk midway. Never put sticky stuff right on the trunk. Rather, wrap cloth or such around the trunk, fasten, and apply things like petroleum jelly or Tanglefoot (a trade name) which will trap the pests. A few might sneak through under the bands in cracks so a 2nd band further up should catch the rest. Then treat any aphids you find in the trees with whatever you feel will work.

Can't help with the other pest as I'm not sure what it is.

[Aidy]

Another trick is to give the ants an alternative sweet source, put some jam every week or so on the base of the plant to provide the sugar, then the ants will predate on the aphids, works a treat.

[nemie]

Excuse the late reply thanks for the help, one of my trees is really getting a beating with the ants and aphids, I sprayed insecticide which worked for a few days but now I’m going to have to try the sticky band.

This Tanglefoot is it the trade name for petroleum jelly? Am I reading that correct?

[savbo]

black flies that look like greenfly are called blackfly - but confusingly so are the completely unrelated black flies that swarm, often near water, (simulid flies)...



M

[Trillium]

Excuse the late reply thanks for the help, one of my trees is really getting a beating with the ants and aphids, I sprayed insecticide which worked for a few days but now I’m going to have to try the sticky band.

This Tanglefoot is it the trade name for petroleum jelly? Am I reading that correct?

No, Tanglefoot is a special thick grease-type of barrier that you smear on top of special paper bands or fabric bands wrapped on trees. Its formulated to catch pests yet not dry out easily. The product name might be slightly different in the UK but I'm quite sure it's available.

Some folk do use petroleum jelly but it dries out quickly and must be checked often for reapplication to stay effective.

[nemie]

Petroleum jelly is just not working at all, the ants walk over it, and I can't find this Tanglefoot anywhere other than USA and Canada.

Still Looking, I'm sure as you say the name might not be the same.

[savbo]

would anti-vandal paint work?

[nemie]

would anti-vandal paint work?

The item I need is called "Boltac Grease Bands"