Easy-care fruit trees are plagued by pests despite being in a good location. We reveal practical tips to avoid and recognize bugs. Find out interesting facts about natural methods against uninvited plum inhabitants.

Moths (Butterflies)

The butterfly places its eggs on the young plum fruit. After hatching, the caterpillars bore into the fruit. Shortly thereafter, the plums turn bluish and fall to the ground.

Remove the fruit from around the tree. Natural predators contain the infestation. A nesting box (€49.85) for songbirds is suitable.

Plum moth (Grapholita funebrana)

These pests often infest damson and plum trees. Small, soft fruits fall from the tree between June and September. Inside lives a reddish colored caterpillar.

The pupae of the crepuscular moth overwinter in the ground. For this purpose, read off fallen fruits and dispose of them in the household waste. This is how you prevent the next generation from hatching.

Plum leaf gall mite (Phytoptus similis)

Leaves and fruits show signs of infestation. Remove them immediately from the plum tree. Dispose of fallen plums and leaves with household waste. The house plum is particularly at risk.

A dry and sunny location prevents these pests. Regular trimming is also recommended.

Signs:

  • Leaves: pouch-shaped blisters on leaf margins and tips
  • Fruits: take on atypical shapes

Plum sawflies (Hoplocampa flava and Hoplocampa minuta)

During the summer, small, pierced fruits fall to the ground. Their fruit stalks remain on the tree. If the fruit set is lush, no control is necessary.

Aphids (primarily: Brachycaudus cardui)

Colonies begin to accumulate on the young flower tips as early as spring. Remove them consistently. According to natural laws, aphids lay their eggs in their “home” place. In addition, the use of natural enemies is recommended.

tips and tricks

Healthy plum trees rarely suffer from pest infestation. The annual addition of compost supports the holistic development of older specimens (from 5 years).

FT

Category:

Trees