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Most effective treatment of Woolly Aphid..is it Neam Oil and is it safe?

PompeyexilePompeyexile Posts: 15
in Fruit & veg
I have posted several times here regarding my Jupiter espalier apple tree and the Woolly Aphid infestation that has recently (in the past two years) raised its ugly head. I have religiously been out with the soapy water and toothbrush, but it seems that whilst at the time it clears them, within a week or so they are back with a vengeance. As the job is taking me about an hour or so every time, I have been looking for something which will either stop them completely, or at least mean I will only have to treat the tree a lot less. In doing my research I came across Neem Oil. However, I'm a bit confused as some articles say it is illegal to use here in the UK and others don't and yet it seems readily available to buy.

Can anyone please advise as to which it is and also, will it erradicate this damn Woolly Aphid infestation which has now also crept onto a couple of dwarf pot apples I bought last year in order to pollinate the Jupiter.

If the Neem Oil is a no no, can anyone please advise as to the best Woolly Aphid erradicator I can buy and how often I will need to use it?

Many thanks

Paul.

Pompeyexile

Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Neem oil is safe, as to whether it is effective for wooly aphids on your apple, that's another matter. Truth is I don't know.
    I'm aware of people who use it on houseplants with some success.

    When I've had them on my apple tree, I use a hose to blast them off every few days and sometimes cut bits out that are really badly infested.

    I don't know if this RHS article will help -
    https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=724

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • PompeyexilePompeyexile Posts: 15
    Hi Pete and thanks for your prompt reply.

    I will buy some Neem Oil and see if it has any effect. I'm willing to even try some of the more outlandish methods if it will help get rid of them. One I've just found is cutting up banana skin and putting it at the base of the tree. Apparantly aphids hate it. As you can see I'm pretty desperate :smile:

    Thanks for the article link too.
    Pompeyexile
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    edited June 2021
    Good luck!
    I noticed in the RHS article they do mention SB Invigorator which I believe is neem oil

    PS - don't slip on the banana skin while you're spraying the tree :)

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • PompeyexilePompeyexile Posts: 15
    Just ordered some SB Invigorator and for belt and braces...a bunch of Bananas...Hah!
    Pompeyexile
  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,718
    I suspect banana skins will be marginally less effective than bending down very close to an infected leaf and shouting ‘Go away’.
    Rutland, England
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    Next winter, try a winter tree wash after scrubbing-off any remaining colonies you find after leaf fall.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • PompeyexilePompeyexile Posts: 15
    Hi Bob,

    Tried a winter wash before but with no effect. This year I will throw the SB invigrator and winter wash at it and see what happens.
    Pompeyexile
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    Good luck @Pompeyexile they are persistent little bu&&ers!
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
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