When to Spray Fruit Trees for Bugs: A Practical Guide
Time your spray to keep the bugs away
Highlights
Apply preventative dormant oils to fruit trees during early spring, just before trees end their dormancy period.
You can apply other treatments, such as fungicides and insecticides, to fruit trees throughout the growing season.
Never spray fruit trees while they’re in blossom, as this can harm beneficial pollinators.
You may love your fruit tree, but unfortunately, so do the bugs who nest and feed on it. That’s why learning when to spray your fruit trees for bugs is a vital aspect of year-round care, and getting the timing right is essential for success. This guide will cover when to spray fruit trees for bugs, as well as other factors to consider when planning out your treatments.
When To Spray Fruit Trees for Bugs
The best time to spray preventive treatments on fruit trees is in early spring while the trees are still dormant. Applying preventative treatments, known as dormant oils, will help you get a leg up against pesky bugs and ensure you have a healthy tree throughout the growing season.
Factors That Affect When to Spray Fruit Trees for Bugs
These are the main factors to consider when you’re deciding when to spray fruit trees for insects.
Climate
The local weather has a significant impact on the optimal timing for spraying. In colder regions, trees stay dormant for a longer time, providing more leeway for applying dormant oils. On the other hand, in warmer areas, the growing season begins earlier, so you’ll need to apply dormant oils earlier. It’s important to refrain from spraying on windy or rainy days, as the spray could drift away or wash off before it can be effective.
Pest Type
Knowing the life cycles of the main pests and tree diseases that affect your region is a crucial determining factor for when to spray fruit trees for bugs. For example, some insect eggs hatch in early spring, so applying a dormant oil spray just before bud break can effectively suffocate overwintering insects and their eggs.
Type of Spray
The type of treatment will also impact the optimal time for spraying fruit trees. If you have any concerns about the health of your fruit tree, or if you’re not sure if pests are the culprit, it’s best to hire an arborist to help you find the best treatment plan. Here are the basic timelines by the type of spray:
Insecticides: Apply throughout the growing season when bugs are active, avoiding the flowering period.
Dormant oils: Apply during the dormant seasons when temperatures are above 40 degrees Fahrenheit to smother overwintering pests like mites and aphids.
Fungicides: Apply before bud break and throughout the growth season as needed, avoiding the flowering period.
Growth Cycle
The growth cycle of fruit trees calls for targeted pest control at different stages, from dormancy to harvest. In early spring, as temperatures rise, apply horticultural or dormant oil sprays like neem oil to tackle overwintering pests. Before bud break, spray fungicides to prevent fungal diseases and set your tree up for a healthy growing season. During bloom, avoid spraying to prevent damaging flowers and harming pollinating bees. After that, you can apply insecticides throughout the growing season to keep the bugs at bay.
The Worst Time to Spray Fruit Trees for Bugs
The worst time to spray fruit trees is when they are blossoming, as sprays can harm bees and other beneficial insects that pollinate the tree. After the petals fall, when fruit forms, you can resume spraying throughout the summer for ongoing protection.
Cost to Spray Trees
The cost to spray trees typically ranges between $100 and $400 per tree, depending on the size of the tree and the type of pesticide. You can save by purchasing at-home treatments, but finding the right pro to spray your trees is well worth the cost if it’s within your budget.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Spraying fruit trees yourself is a cost-effective option, with a typical investment of $25 to $50 for the insecticide. You’ll need basic equipment, such as a sprayer and protective gear, and it’s essential to follow safety guidelines, especially when dealing with chemicals. DIY spraying will take a few hours, depending on how many trees you have.
While DIY spraying can save you money, there’s a hefty margin for user error and it’s easy to pick the wrong type of spray or use it incorrectly. Aside from the treatment being ineffective, it’s possible that you can harm the tree, wildlife, and the surrounding landscape. Hiring a local tree maintenance professional will ensure the proper application of the most effective treatment, giving your fruit tree the best chance for a healthy and fruitful growing season. These pros bring specialized knowledge and tools to ensure the treatment is effective as well as safe for your trees and the surrounding environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Water and dish soap—a popular DIY insecticide, especially for aphids—works best when applied directly to insects. It shouldn’t be used as an all-over spray on trees, as it can potentially burn and weaken foliage. It’s best to use an extremely diluted solution, no more than two teaspoons of dish soap per two cups of water, and directly saturate bugs on the underside of the tree’s foliage where you see them.
Using a pesticide that specifically includes the host plant on its label, along with specific directions for that plant, is not only legal but also safe. Sprays designed for fruit trees typically come with different instructions tailored for apples, pears, peaches, plums, and other fruits. These instructions vary to ensure that pesticide residues on the fruit remain below acceptable thresholds at the time of harvest. If the plant you intend to treat with the product is not listed on the label, then the product cannot be used.
If you’re wondering why tree trunks are painted white in your area, it’s usually to prevent sunscald, a condition where extreme shifts in temperature can cause tree bark to split. Fruit trees are especially vulnerable to sunscald, so this treatment is worth considering if it’s something that affects your trees.