How to Get Rid of Black Aphids on Cherry Trees

Cherry trees look great in any garden and give you flowers in the spring and tasty fruit in the summer. While these trees are beautiful, they can be attacked by black aphids, which feed on sap, weaken the tree, and leave behind honeydew. You may need to work hard to get rid of aphids, but if you do it right, you can protect your cherry trees.

Identifying Black Aphids

Small, soft-bodied insects called black aphids tend to gather on the undersides of leaves and on new growth. They feed on the sap inside the cherry tree with their sharp mouthparts, taking nutrients from the tree. As they eat, they make honeydew that falls to the ground and covers lower leaves and branches. Ants often flock to this sugary substance.

Aphids stunt growth by depriving the tree of nutrients An infestation can lead to curled, yellowing leaves, branch dieback, and poor fruit quality Left uncontrolled, black aphids can even kill young cherry trees.

Physical Control Methods

One of the simplest ways to get rid of aphids on cherry trees is plain water. A strong stream from the hose can blast aphids right off the leaves and wash away honeydew. Focus the water jet on the undersides of leaves and new growth where aphids tend to gather.

You’ll likely need to do this every few days as some aphids will remain hidden or fly back. But it provides immediate relief while you implement other control methods.

Insecticidal soaps also work through physical means. Soap penetrates the aphid’s waxy outer coating and causes its bodily fluids to leak out, leading to dehydration and death. Spray trees thoroughly, especially the undersides of leaves, every 5-7 days. Brands like Safer’s Insecticidal Soap are OMRI certified for organic gardening.

Biological Pest Control

Beneficial insects like ladybugs, lacewings, and syrphid flies all feed on aphids. Attract them to your yard by planting flowers like cosmos, marigolds, and daisies nearby. You can also buy populations of ladybugs and lacewings to release. They’ll stick around if there’s food, shelter, and water.

Parasitic wasps are tiny insects that lay eggs inside aphids. When they hatch, the larvae eat the aphid from the inside out! Avoid pesticides so these wasps keep working. Plant small flowering plants to support them.

Prevention with Dormant Oils

Dormant oils smother overwintering aphid eggs before they hatch. Apply the oil spray thoroughly when trees are dormant in late winter. This also controls mites, scales, and other pests. Stick to one application per season and avoid spraying buds or greenery.

Other Chemical Controls

Insecticidal soaps and oils are the best chemical options for organic management. But if infestations persist, other pesticides may be warranted. Neem oil disrupts the aphid life cycle and is approved for organic growing. Horticultural oils like Superior Type 70 kill aphids on contact.

Use insecticides like malathion or acephate as a last resort. Avoid broad-spectrum chemicals that will kill beneficials. Follow all label directions carefully. Improper use can damage the tree.

Integrated Pest Management

The best approach combines multiple tactics—what’s known as integrated pest management (IPM). For example:

• Blast aphids off with water for immediate relief
• Release ladybugs and lacewings to feed on them
• Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5-7 days
• Spray trees with dormant oil before spring bud-break
• Plant flowers that attract beneficial insects

With persistence, an IPM plan will reduce aphid numbers so tree damage is minimal. Your efforts will pay off with lush foliage and bountiful cherries!

Summary of Key Points:

• Black aphids cluster on the undersides of leaves and new growth, feeding on sap.
• Heavy infestations cause stunting, curling leaves, branch dieback, and poor fruit quality.
• Control methods include blasting with water, insecticidal soaps, beneficial insects, dormant oils, and pesticides.
• Combining multiple tactics through integrated pest management is most effective long-term.
• With persistence, you can get rid of aphids and enjoy healthy, productive cherry trees!

Get rid of black aphids on your cherry trees. It takes work, but it’s worth it to keep these lovely trees safe. If you set up a targeted IPM plan, you’ll see results for many years. Your work will help trees stay healthy, so you can enjoy the flowers in the spring and the cherries in the summer.