Aphids Pear

Pear aphids cluster on the undersides of new leaves and developing fruit spurs from early spring through summer, causing leaf curl, honeydew deposits, and sooty mold on your pear trees. You will notice sticky residue on fruit and foliage, along with distorted new growth at branch tips. In Western Washington, colonies build quickly during the cool, moist spring months before natural enemies catch up.

Tolerate low populations and let lady beetles, lacewings, and parasitic wasps do the work. A strong water spray dislodges aphids from accessible branches without harming beneficials. Dormant oil applied in January through February controls overwintering eggs before spring hatch. Avoid broad-spectrum insecticides that eliminate the predators keeping aphid numbers in check.