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Pear Midge problem

Ian EdgeIan Edge Posts: 2
in Problem solving

Hello,

            I wonder if anybody out there knows of a cure for "Pear Midge "troubles ?

For the last five years now,we have had no Pears due to Pear Midge attacking the flower buds on the Pear tree and leaving a grub behind.

It burrows into the Pear bud just behind the flower and destroys every one of the infant pears.

The buds are left as brown husks and then they all fall off onto the lawn and this happens year after year.

Any sugestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You.

Posts

  • chickychicky Posts: 10,409

    Best get an extension lead for your vacuum cleanerimage

  • Ian EdgeIan Edge Posts: 2

    Hi pansyface,

                           thank you for the link above.

    This describes my situation exactly,and I have read somewhere that a Gentleman has been battling with this same problem for about 20 years !!

    Now I see why the Bats are so active arond the fruit trees.image

    Anything is worth a try,my trees are in the lawn and the fallen buds are collected when I mow the lawn.

    I already have what chicky is sugesting so will have to resort to this next year if I can spot the blighters !!

    Thanks to everyone,Ian Edge

  • davejames.kirkstalldavejames.kirkstall Posts: 1
    I like the vacuum cleaner idea, since the midges apparently gather in mating swarms around the pear trees just before sunset; however, I went out last year several times and couldn't see anything like a swarm - in fact I couldn't identify anything that might have been a Pear Midge. My tree is badly affected again this year. My idea for next year is to swathe the tree in some kind of gauze or very fine mesh to prevent the insects reaching the flower buds (my tree is quite small). Has anyone tried this? Might it prevent pollination? I suppose I need to know if my tree is self-pollinating. So identifying the variety is my next problem! 
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