Cherry tree beetles .....

[frazzledbutcalm]

I have a fruit cherry tree that is COVERED in black beetles ... any ideas what they may be or what I can safely spray to get rid of them?
TIA

[JessBear123]

I have this as well.
I was told to use washing up liquid in water then spray leaves.
I have done this today but I don't know whether its worked yet.
Bump for other ideas!

[frazzledbutcalm]

Hi Jess .... we've just done that tonight after doing a google search! They're 'aphids' apparently. Very common. Our tree is absolutely thick with them, they also recommend Provado Ultimate Bug Killer Ready To Use.
I think we're fighting a losing battle because the sites say if the leaves are starting to curl then it's too late. LOADS of our leaves are curled
It also says to spray in winter a plant oil winter tree wash to prevent overwintering eggs.
I got the info from the Royal Horticultural Society website.
Hope this helps, good luck with your tree ... hope it's not as bad as mine.

[JessBear123]

oh no, some have curled mostly at the top.

Thanks frazzle.
Have noticed a few on another fruit plant as well, its my sons.
Although no fruits of yet on it so maybe....
I take it provado will be ok to use on fruits? or just on the leaves?
I will have to check the site out thanks for the reply!
good luck!

[JessBear123]

Ooh have just checked and there is definitely a lot less on there!! fingers crossed.

[frazzledbutcalm]

I'm frightened to look at ours, we have/had thousands of beetles!

It's dh job

We're going to spray ours for a week with soapy water and go from there. It says provado can be used so long as you're not picking the fruit within 2 weeks.

[shovetheholly]

Please, please avoid the provado. It's vicious stuff and will kill anything insecty, including ladybirds which eat the aphids for you and bees, which are already having a terrible time. And if bees die, there isn't much hope for the human race. Here's the Soil Association page on this: www.soilassociation.org/keepbritainbuzzing/householdpesticides

Trees tend to be really, really strong - it takes a hell of a lot to kill one, and they will easily bounce back from a few curled leaves. If you get some ecover washing up liquid and dilute it, then spray the tree with it, the aphids will die. Doing it by hand means you can avoid spraying the more beneficial insects. You can even just wash them off with a hose set to high pressure.

You might still see a lot of black aphids on there in the days after you've sprayed, but look closer and you will see that they aren't moving.

Check out this video:

[shovetheholly]

Oh, and this video is a GREAT explanation of why these pesticides are so very devastating for bees. It's not simply that you might kill one or two by spraying them accidentally. If one bee comes into contact with nectar that has been contaminated by these chemicals, a whole hive can die.