Crepe myrtles are beautiful, flowering trees that produce lovely blooms during the summer season. I know that these flowers are charming and provide you with a feeling of joy when you look at them.
However, Crepe myrtles are prone to aphid infestation.
What are aphids?
Aphids are tiny insects that suck the sap out of the leaves and stems of your trees, causing severe damage if left untreated.
Have you just discovered aphids on your Crepe myrtles? Ah! Please don’t panic because we are here to help!
Today, in this article, you will learn how to get rid of aphids on Crepe myrtles.
So, without procrastinating any further, let’s rush ahead!
How to Get Rid of Aphids on Crepe Myrtles?
Fortunately, there are several ways to eliminate aphids on Crepe myrtles ranging from natural to chemical remedies.
Let’s discuss all these methods in detail.
Physical Methods
Initially, you can use some physical methods to eliminate aphids on Crepe myrtles.
These include the following:
Snip the Affected Area
First, you must monitor your plants to determine which area is affected.
If you see aphids on only a small area of your Crepe myrtles, just cut off those parts to stop the aphids from spreading to the rest of the plant.
This method helps you diminish the population of aphids.
Growgardener Note: Properly dispose of the pruned parts in sealed plastic bags to prevent the spread of the infestation.
Use a Jet of Water
Washing Crepe myrtles with pressurized water proves to be a very effective way to remove aphids.
It can be done with a regular gardening hose.
Daily spray the affected areas with a pressurized stream of water; water force should remove the insects from the trees.
Biological Method
In contrast to the physical methods, you can also get help from some natural predators to eliminate aphids on Crepe myrtles.
A couple of natural predators can help you in that regard.
Ladybugs
These are the natural predators of aphids. You can release ladybugs on your Crepe myrtle trees to control the aphid population.
Parasitic Wasps
These tiny parasitic wasps lay their eggs inside the bodies of the aphids. When these eggs hatch, the larvae feed on aphids, ultimately killing them.
You can easily get these parasitic wasps from garden supply stores and release them onto your Crepe myrtle trees to control aphids.
Chemical Methods
If the aphid infestation is already out of hand and plenty of aphids are still left on the tree after trying other methods, you’ll have to seek help from chemicals.
Neem Oil
How can we miss the neem oil whenever there is a talk about insecticides?
Yes! Neem oil is a natural insecticide that can kill aphids and protect trees from sooty mold. You can prepare neem oil solution by diluting it with water and a small amount of dish soap.
You can also prepare low-toxicity insecticidal soap by mixing a few tablespoons of dishwashing soap with water and spraying directly on the plant.
These solutions will suffocate the aphids and kill them.
What Are the Best Chemical Spraying Methods?
Only use chemical treatment if other methods do not work.
Here are some typical insecticides that are less harmful to plants:
- Imidacloprid
- Acetamiprid
- Dinotefuran
- Pyriproxyfen
There are two methods by which you can apply these insecticides.
Soil Drenching Method
Soil drenching is applying pesticides and nutrients directly to the soil.
It is like giving your Crepe myrtles a treat of nutrients and plenty of water, and it is as easy as falling off a log.
Well! How to do it?
If you are planning to apply pesticides to your Crepe myrtle tree by soil drenching, it is crucial to do so before the blooming season begins. That will prevent the pesticides from affecting the tree’s beautiful showy flowers and will also minimize the time available for aphids to infest the tree.
Make sure to avoid using this method during the water-stress period, like heavy rainfall.
All you have to do is:
- Mix your insecticide (Imidacloprid) with water.
- Dig a little trench around your tree.
- Pour the solution and distribute it evenly.
- Fill the channel back with soil and water, and you are done.
Repeat this process after every 4–6 weeks in the growing season, like giving your Crepe myrtles a little extra care to make them strong.
Foliar Spray Method
The foliar spray technique is most common in gardening, where we spray liquid chemicals directly on the leaves.
It treats pest infestations and diseases affecting the leaves.
This method allows the insecticides to make direct contact with aphids. If you do it correctly, it can play a significant role in controlling the aphids on your Crepe myrtles.
For that, you have to follow some steps:
- Identify the infested area.
- Now choose an appropriate insecticide for your Crepe myrtles. Permethrin and Imidacloprid are the most effective and safe options.
- After choosing the best insecticide, you have to prepare the spray.
- For that purpose, you must know what amount of insecticide to use for the affected area and fill it in a sprayer—you can get an idea by looking at the packaging.
- Spray the solution directly on the affected leaves and stems.
The repetition of this process depends on the severity of the infestation.
Growgardener Note: This method is very effective for your trees but remember not to overdo it. Also, practice proper safety measures to protect yourself while spraying the product.
That’s all for today!
Now it’s time to conclude the discussion here.
Conclusion!
Now you know how to get rid of aphids on Crepe myrtles.
Many effective ways exist to eliminate the aphids and prevent them from returning.
You can use any method you find suitable.
It is crucial to regularly monitor and repeat the effective methods to control the aphids, and you’ll get a scenic view of your Crepe myrtles.
I hope this post helps you a lot.
If you find this post beneficial, don’t forget to mention it in the comment section below.
Regards,
Moiz Atiq.