Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Willow covered in black bugs

Cat 3Cat 3 Posts: 107
in Problem solving
Could somebody please tell me what the black buggy like creatures that are  on my willow trees they seem to be falling to the ground and  discolouring the grass as well really would appreciate it if somebody could tell me and let me know how I can deal with them not sure if harming tree and could spread?

Thank you

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Willow bark aphids ... there’s a lot around this year. Not a real problem and good food for the birds 

    https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=995

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Cat 3Cat 3 Posts: 107
    Dovefromabove, thank you I think if I just wash it down with a bit of white vinegar and water it will get rid of some of it because it is quite quite heavy.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Just a jet of water from the hose will do the job ... vinegar will harm the good guys ... there may be ladybird and lacewing larvae amongst them and eating them. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • traceymichelle1572K6hx1Bitraceymichelle1572K6hx1Bi Posts: 2
    With the black bugs , I have hundreds of wasps around the tree , I cant find the nest , please can you help meb
  • traceymichelle1572K6hx1Bitraceymichelle1572K6hx1Bi Posts: 2
    Please can you help me , find out why there are hundreds of wasps around the willow as well as the black bugs
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    The black bugs are aphids who excrete  sweet honeydew … at this time of year the wasps need sweet foods so they eat the honeydew … both will die when the weather turns colder.  Nothing to worry about.  If you have an allergy please keep yourself safe and stay away from them …they’ll be gone very soon  👍 


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





Sign In or Register to comment.