As with all fruit trees, a whole range of pests cause problems for the pear tree. How to recognize which harmful garden dwellers you are dealing with and what you can do about it.

Pests commonly found on pear trees

Pests prevent pear harvests and often damage the entire tree as well. The most common types include:

  • codling moth
  • pear midge
  • pear jewel beetle
  • pear leaf sucker
  • voles

codling moth

Despite its name, this pest also likes to attack pears. It flies from May to September and lays its eggs on fruit and leaves. The larvae hatch within two weeks and eat their way into the fruit. These fall off after a short time.

Wrap the trunk of the pear tree with folded corrugated paper. The larvae seek shelter in it and can be easily collected and destroyed.

pear midge

Pear gall midges hatch from the soil in April. They lay their eggs in the pear blossom. The larvae eat into the fruit. This discolours, turns black and falls off.

As soon as you discover black fruit on the tree, pick it off immediately and collect any fruit that has already fallen. Dispose of them with household waste.

pear jewel beetle

The pear jewel beetle lays its eggs in the bark of the trunk and branches. The larvae eat through the bark, causing it to crack and form scabby patches. The feeding passages are easy to see if you lift pieces of the bark.

Cut out affected areas generously. A control that is harmless to fruits and insects does not yet exist.

pear leaf sucker

Pear aphids are gray aphids that suck the leaves and cripple them. Distinct sign is a sticky, sweet coating that forms on the leaves.

Remove any affected leaves from the tree or ground. Flower bugs are enemies of aphids, they can be a valuable help in combating them.

voles

They eat the suction roots of the pear tree and damage it in the long term.

Repel the voles with traps or feed baits.

tips and tricks

In the event of a pest infestation, do not immediately resort to chemical agents. Sometimes simply picking it up helps. Plant decoctions are easy to make yourself and can be used to combat pests and diseases.

Category:

Trees