Treating Common Peach Pests

An overflowing basketful of fuzzy, blushing peaches is very fulfilling sight for a gardener. However, many pests prey on peaches and will ruin a promising harvest if not properly taken care of. Here are some of the more common peach pests and how to handle them.

Peach tree borers are beetle larvae that furrow into the tree trunk and eat away at the tender inside wood. The best way to avoid this very damaging insect is to spray your peach trees with a borer preventative every August. Once established, borers are very difficult to eradicate.

Plum curculio is a worm that feeds on peach fruits. To prevent this, spray insecticide when the blooms are pink, then when ¾ of the petals have dropped, and then again 4-5 more times at 2-week intervals.

A fungal disease that causes the fruit to disintegrate is brown rot. Remove all affected fruit from the ground and off the tree; spray fungicide every 2 weeks.

Peach leaf curl affects new growth in early spring, causing it to be grossly misshapen and puffy. Spray fungicide in the fall when the leaves are dropping to prevent this nasty bacteria.

Stink bugs sting peaches, and the resulting spot decays and becomes malodorous. Spray insecticide every few weeks to control the bug population.

Scale insects will entrench themselves in the trees' limbs and trunk. Apply dormant oil in the winter to thwart the insects.

While peaches require considerable care to protect them and their harvest from harmful pests, the abundant harvest that results from careful cultivation will be an ample reward for your labors.