Aphids are small insects that feed on the sap of plants, causing damage to their leaves, stems, and roots. These pests inflict significant harm to your trees and shrubs in Colorado, leading to reduced growth and even death if left untreated. Aphids also create honeydew, a sticky substance that can attract other pests and lead to sooty mold. If these tiny critters have infested your plants, the best thing to do is to call professionals. They will examine the affected trees and shrubs to assess the severity of the infestation. That way, they can apply targeted insecticides to eliminate the aphids and stop them from causing more injury to your plants. Once the infestation has been dealt with, the next best thing to focus on is to sign up for a tree and shrub care program that includes regular fertilizer and insecticide treatments. These treatments will strengthen your plants to help them recover after the infestation and prevent new aphids from taking over!

What are aphids, and what kind of damage can they cause to plants?

Many green aphids on a leaf in Grand Junction, CO.

Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that feed on the sap of plants. They are typically green or black in color and can be found on the undersides of leaves, stems, and buds. Aphids and tiny, only reaching up to 1.8 of an inch in maturity, making it difficult to identify them right away. They also reproduce quickly. When conditions are ideal, female aphids can give birth to live, young aphids. These newborn aphids can grow into reproducing adults in just a week!

Aphids are destructive insects that survive by sucking the life out of your plants. These pests have piercing mouthparts that they use to draw out sap from the phloem of your plants, taking away vital nutrients necessary for their growth. This feeding habit causes leaves to curl, turn yellow, and drop prematurely. This can lead to stunted growth, reduced yields, and even death in severe cases.

Aphids secrete a sticky substance called honeydew, which can attract other pests and lead to the growth of sooty mold on plants.

How do you deal with aphids on your trees and shrubs?

If your trees or shrubs are infested with aphids, the first and best thing to do is to contact plant care professionals. There are DIY remedies that you can try, but effective results are guaranteed when you work with experts. They will inspect the infested trees and shrubs to understand the extent of the damage aphids have caused, so they can tailor their approach accordingly. Professionals will also use effective curative treatments to get rid of the aphid infestation and stop them from inflicting more damage to your trees or shrubs.

Invest in a tree and shrub care program to help your plants recover from aphid-related damage.

If your plants have been damaged by aphids, it's important to take steps to help them recover. You'll want to invest in a professional tree and shrub care program that includes fertilization treatments to provide your plants with vital nutrients that will help them recover from any aphid-related damage. Routine fertilizer applications will also fortify their health and build up their resistance so they can fight off infestations in the future.

It's also important to invest in a program that will include insecticide treatments. These treatments will protect your plants from future aphid infestations, keeping them from taking over your plants again!

Call us today to schedule our tree and shrub insect control service!

Healthy plants make your yard look more vibrant and lively. However, aphids can stunt your plants' growth and affect their appearance. Let us help keep them away! Our team at Mesa Turf Masters offers a tree and shrub insect control service that includes treatments to eradicate an aphid infestation from your plants. These treatments are typically administered through specialized injections for effective results!

This service is offered to property owners in Grand Junction, Fruita, Palisade, CO, and throughout the surrounding areas. Give us a call at (970) 434-5440 to schedule today!