Content
- Pests that can occur on yews
- Which pests are present on yews?
- Recognize and combat scale insects
- Treatment for lice infestation
- Fight the weeping weevil
- How to combat gall wasp
- Tips
Lice do not stop at the poisonous yew
Pests that can occur on yews
As a native coniferous tree, the yew is very well adapted to our conditions and copes very well with pests, fungal infestations and diseases. Occasionally, an infestation by pests may occur, especially in an unfavorable location. This is how to recognize and combat pests of the yew.
Which pests are present on yews?
Basically, it should be said that a healthy tree, which is well maintained, easily cope with a pest infestation alone. Only if the yew is in an unfavorable location or does not receive sufficient care, the unwanted guests can cause damage.
Recognize and combat scale insects
Scale insects are invisible to the naked eye. If the needles turn yellow or brown or fall off, you should always inspect the yew for signs of lice. Ants roads are on the tree, an infestation is likely.
Only biological control measures such as the use of parasitic wasps and the removal of the ant trails help against scale insects. Heavily affected branches should simply be cut and burned if possible.
Treatment for lice infestation
Lice can be recognized with the naked eye. Lacewing and ladybug are suitable as biological control. Insecticides can also be used here.
Fight the weeping weevil
Black-eared weevils are in the ground and eat the needles at night. These pests are very hard to combat. In case of heavy infestation, it is recommended to use nematodes, which you can obtain from specialist dealers. These nematodes eat the larvae of the weevil.
How to combat gall wasp
If the needles become discolored and deformed, gall wasps can be responsible. Here it is advisable to radically cut off the affected branches of the yew. The use of biological agents such as parasitic wasps is only advisable if the infestation is not too strong.
Branches that are infested with gall wasps should not be composted, but disposed of with household waste or incinerated.
When cutting, make sure that neither needles nor other parts of the plant get on the bare skin. The poisonous sap can cause inflammatory reactions.
Tips
Diseases of yews almost never occur. If the yew looks ill, loses needles or generally cares, it is usually in the wrong location or at the water supply.