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Tiny bugs on Acer

PaidpnutsPaidpnuts Posts: 8
in Problem solving
My daughters' acer (in a pot, & about 1.5m tall) looks teally healthy. However in the last few days we've noticed 100's of these tiny 1 -2mm beetles on the newest leaves. I think they are feeding on the sap & have been told they may be being 'farmed' as we've also seen a great number of ants on the tree. Any advice welcomed - the tree means a great deal to her; it was a gift from her Grannie.

Posts

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    Those look like a particularly large form of aphid.  You may find that the ants are nesting in the pot.  I would submerge the whole pot in water for a few hours which should kill the ants, if they are nesting there.  Because japanese maple leaves are so delicate, the usual advice to blast them off with the spray from a hose may not be ideal and young foliage may also be damaged if you use an insecticidal spray (although that would be a last resort for a persistent infestation.)  Personally, I would add 3 to 4 drops of dishwashing liquid to a litre of water and give them a spray (avoid doing that on sunny days though.)  The soapy addition to the water will render them unable to breath and they will die, although it won't kill any eggs so you may need to repeat.

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • PaidpnutsPaidpnuts Posts: 8
    Thank you very much.
  • GreenbirdGreenbird Posts: 237
    edited May 2020
    I ordered some labybird larvae for the aphids on my pear tree. They get delivered in a small clear pot and you simply unleash them onto the aphids. 

    Can't comment on the results yet, but its incredibly satisfying.

  • PaidpnutsPaidpnuts Posts: 8
    Thank you.
  • ThebigeasyThebigeasy Posts: 190
    Greenbird said:
    I ordered some labybird larvae for the aphids on my pear tree. They get delivered in a small clear pot and you simply unleash them onto the aphids. 

    Can't comment on the results yet, but its incredibly satisfying.

    Do you have a link to where you buy these, please? 
  • GreenbirdGreenbird Posts: 237
    Thebigeasy said:
    Greenbird said:
    I ordered some labybird larvae for the aphids on my pear tree. They get delivered in a small clear pot and you simply unleash them onto the aphids. 

    Can't comment on the results yet, but its incredibly satisfying.

    Do you have a link to where you buy these, please? 
    https://www.greengardener.co.uk/adult-ladybirds-1151.html

    I'm trying to go the route of natural pest control. But as my garden is a new build and devoid of any life when I moved in, I've had to introduce things (even worms).

    The upside is that I've only ever found one slug. 
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