what are these on my apple tree?

7 years ago

These things seem to be over all the leaves, especially the ones higher up the tree. Can anyone help me ID them? And how do I get rid of them/control them?

Featured Answer

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7

7 years ago

The white things look like the shed exoskeletons of aphids, which might be the dark things in the last image. If so, the skins will pretty much blow away.

It's not recommended that dish detergent be used for plants, especially not Dawn. Believe it or not, commercial insecticidal soaps are much milder on plant tissues while being more effective at killing soft bodied insects. Dish detergents contain powerful solvents as well as dyes, fragrances, and other chemicals that can and do cause problems for leaf tissues. Plus, the detergents don't have directions!

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Comments (11)

akamainegrower
7 years ago
Hard to tell for sure from the photos, but leaves seem to be infested with aphids, whitefly and possibly mites. All three are common pests on apples and other fruit trees. Safest treatment is to spray with a forceful stream of plain water. Insecticidal soaps are also effective and non-toxic. For stronger treatment, if that is warranted, check with your county extension service or state agriculture department for recommendations.
edjusted thanked akamainegrower
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
7 years ago
there is also.. a fruit forum ... where you might get other ideas ... ken
edjusted thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
7 years ago
one other thought .... bugs attack stressed plants ... that brick wall in the sun might be stressing this plant.. retaining heat.. late into the night.. instead of allowing a recovery time in the cool of the night ...

ken
edjusted thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
PRO
Caldwell Home & Garden
7 years ago
It looks like whiteflies or aphids, I would spray with diluted dawn dish soap.
edjusted thanked Caldwell Home & Garden
edjusted
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks everyone!
wisconsitom
7 years ago
In addition to what Rhizo said about using Dawn For Dishes...instead of products actually designed for use on plants....Mr. Factory Owner uses whatever ingredients are available-for a given production run-at lowest possible cost. Thus, Dawn may behave one way one time, another way next time. Meanwhile, Safers and others have actual insecticidal soap sitting on the shelf, waiting to be used. And like he said....there's directions with that stuff.

Couldn't begin to tell you all the ridiculous home-made concoctions I've heard and seen people use. Like my sister in law-who is not normally a dumb person-who nevertheless was proud as can be because she killed a lone buckthorn bush in her yard "without chemicals"! Heh...........I'm pretty sure the mixture of dish detergent, vinegar, and salt she used all consisted of chemicals! Plus, instead of using a tiny bit of herbicide actually labelled for such use, she now has salt in the soil in that part of her garden. She said she "understands" things like salt, vinegar, etc. but that the herbicides are a complete mystery. I would suggest she's clueless about both!
PRO
Caldwell Home & Garden
7 years ago
I have been using diluted dawn dish soap on my plants for years, it has never caused any kind of damage. I have used it on crepe myrtles, knockout roses, multiflora rambling roses, multiflora rose, eastern redbud, tomoato plants, flowering dogwood, perennial hibiscus, tropical hibiscus, rose of sharon, japanese maple, and forsythia. I could name more, but I don't want to bore you.
wisconsitom
7 years ago
Well....there's always a first time! Some people like to use a manner of household items in their yards and gardens. Like my S-I-L above......what are you going to do? She's happy with herself!
lucky_p
7 years ago
Caldwell... are you Jerry Baker in disguise?...
PRO
Caldwell Home & Garden
7 years ago
No, I'm just a cheapskate LOL