Aphid damage on 1km Conifer hedge, how to spray?

[Simonsnr]

I mentioned a few weeks ago of a 1km conifer hedge job I had coming up, started it on Monday, sore shoulders and slight back ache but with the easy lift harness, it hasn't been the 'hell' job that it was when I did it two years ago. Had a good run of it, and have managed to do all the sides, just the top to do now. (will post pics and video when finished)

 

Anyhooo, there are massive pockets of aphid damage and in some places the aphids are still feeding and coming off in clouds when the trimmer disturbs them. How do you treat a hedge this big? Ladybirds and lace wings are out of the question, I'm thinking spraying is the only answer, but its ten foot high and two kms of sides! Any one had any experience of spraying such large areas, can anyone advise on what chemicals? My other concern is none of the staff at the garden, or indeed I have any 'spraying tickets', can you buy chemicals for spraying conifer aphids in 'bulk' with out a license?

 

If the aphids are still present, then I'm guessing it should be sprayed now as well as in spring, though the owner seems to think he should wait till the new cycle in spring starts.

 

I first noticed Conifer aphid damage 15 years ago on a job, was a rare sight back then, seems to becoming worse every year here in the south east, I'm guessing due to the mild winters? I've always assumed that, but don't all aphids produce live young, not eggs? I'm guessing that they don't all die off, so continue to breed through-out the winter albeit at a vastly reduced rate, and that their numbers pick up in spring as more young aphid appear? So does it make sense to spray now to try and beat the cycle before it gets going?

 

Look forward to hearing your views on my many questions.

[garth mc garth]

i have a contract on a fruit farm who plant conifer hedging as windbreaks for the fruit trees, as you can imagine they are pretty substancial being double rows and being cut annually with the rotary head to 36ft in height. 2 years ago they had massive aphid damage to the windbreaks and it looks like alot were going to be lost. i dont know the exact details of what they sprayed but it was done with a tractor drawn vineyard mist blower around october time, the spray was purchased from an authorised chemical outlet and relevant PA qualifications were needed for its use.

your circumstances may be different as this area was in close proximity to fruit being used for human consumption rather than a domestic situation. i will have a word with the farm manager and get some details later on in the week for ya

[Will Hinchliffe]

I have never done this but when I was speaking to someone from Bartlets at the AA trade show they said they used baby baby oil in a 10% mixture with water. Apparently it suffocates them. You have to do it wearing only leather pants though.

[welwell]

I have never done this but when I was speaking to someone from Bartlets at the AA trade show they said they used baby baby oil in a 10% mixture with water. Apparently it suffocates them. You have to do it wearing only leather pants though.

 

Count me in!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mesterh]

I have never done this but when I was speaking to someone from Bartlets at the AA trade show they said they used baby baby oil in a 10% mixture with water. Apparently it suffocates them. You have to do it wearing only leather pants though.

 

You should try leather chaps.........not to be sniffed at

(Ernest Moss)

[Simonsnr]

i have a contract on a fruit farm who plant conifer hedging as windbreaks for the fruit trees, as you can imagine they are pretty substancial being double rows and being cut annually with the rotary head to 36ft in height. 2 years ago they had massive aphid damage to the windbreaks and it looks like alot were going to be lost. i dont know the exact details of what they sprayed but it was done with a tractor drawn vineyard mist blower around october time, the spray was purchased from an authorised chemical outlet and relevant PA qualifications were needed for its use.

your circumstances may be different as this area was in close proximity to fruit being used for human consumption rather than a domestic situation. i will have a word with the farm manager and get some details later on in the week for ya

 

Thanks Garth for that, I'll get the owner to ask a few farmers about the use of their crop sprayers ?? Wonder if contamination with other chemicals would be a problem? If not, there is a vinyard near us, could ask them, great idea!

 

 

I have never done this but when I was speaking to someone from Bartlets at the AA trade show they said they used baby baby oil in a 10% mixture with water. Apparently it suffocates them. You have to do it wearing only leather pants though.

 

Mmmmmm...would be nice to find a use for my gimp mask and leather chaps again, mustn't use the rubber suit though as the baby oil will attack the latex! On a more serious note though, I nearly mentioned the old trick of washing up liquid and water, always use to work for my mum on her roses. I'd heard that water rots aphids, and that is why they stay under the leaves when it is wet, I've always assumed that the washing up liquid in the water just reduced the water tension allowing the water to 'smother' the aphids rather than run off? Now THAT would be a cheap option! Not sure about going to boots and buying 20 bottles of baby oil, but could do tesco's and washing up liquid at a push, though still not sure if I have the guts to go to Tesco's.

[Dean Lofthouse]

I was told good old fashioned soap flakes in water not washing up liquid, don't know why.

[garth mc garth]

im not sure if a conventional boom sprayer would be suitable as they are designed to be used horizontally rather than vertically. vinyard sprayers are best as you can position the heads to spray from above down onto trees / vines etc.

alternatively you could use a hand lance with wide fan nozzle and just walk along length of hedge spraying strips.

if you have the access for a quad or small compact tractor its really cheap and easy to fabricate a small boom / spot sprayer. i have made a few myself and they work really well