Currant berries are so tasty that they attract not only people. Aphids and ants are also glad for the presence of such bushes in the garden. Small harmful insects feed on the juice of berries, multiplying at lightning speed. To get vitamin berries to your family, and not to several generations of aphids, use certain methods of control.
Fighting aphids on currant: features
Each type of bug adapted to life on a particular plant. Aphids doomed to live on currant bushes cannot harm other bushes or trees. But the currant will get a lot - the aphids have a short life span, but this only means more new generations per season. Most actively, insects breed in the summer. At this time, the aphid feeds on the leaves of the plants surrounding the bush, for example, sow thistle or chicory. And by autumn, bugs attack the currant itself to lay testicles in the buds of the bushes. In spring, such buds will stand out among others for their size. On blackcurrant, the appearance of the shoots themselves changes from the influence of aphids, since insects feed on them. Such parasites are sometimes called gooseberry shoots, since they can also live on gooseberry bushes. So, shoots infected with aphids will be uneven and unhealthy, the leaves on them will be twisted, and the aphids will be visible with the naked eye. Another variety of parasites lives on redcurrant. This is a red-aphid aphid that infects foliage, and winter in the branches of a plant. The leaves of the bush affected by these pests become brown or yellow, bubbles appear on them, and then they begin to fall. You can judge the infection of aphids not only by leaves.
If no parasites are visible in the spring, pay attention to other insects, for example, ants, which serve as carriers of larvae. A large number of ants is a signal that the fight against aphids on currants should begin as soon as possible. Ladybugs, on the contrary, will serve as a good sign. Aphids and ladybugs are the worst enemies, since the parasite larvae serve as food for the bright red bugs beloved by children.
The main methods of struggle
Like many other insects, aphids do not like certain smells. Therefore, the fight against aphids on currants can be carried out using means that have a powerful effect on pests, but are completely harmless to berries. Such a remedy is a tincture of tobacco, orange peels or garlic can be used. A nut shell is also suitable - a sharp, repellent smell for aphids will drive insects from the bushes.
The red gall variety can be controlled by the usual removal of affected kidneys and sprouts, if not too many. Be sure to burn the affected plants, otherwise the aphids will return to a healthy bush. If the infection is more serious, spray the bush with an organic solution. It can be an infusion of garlic, yarrow or tobacco. The fight against aphids on currants should start at the time of the appearance of the kidneys, since it is at this moment that the larvae begin to appear. Most carefully you need to spray the underside of the leaves, as these insects prefer shade. To guarantee a longer lasting effect, try to get rid of aphid carriers - ants. An anthill found on the site can be poured with steep boiling water so that the army of ants does not harm, spreading harmful larvae.