How to Use Insecticides on Plum Trees

Overview

Common insect problems for plum trees are plum curculio, mites and borers. You can tell you have plum curculios if you find worms inside the plum pits. Most of your plums will not reach maturity, falling to the ground first. Mites damage the tree foliage, making it turn pale and eventually brown. On the other hand, borers attack the tree trunk. To get the most effective use out of insecticides, identify the pest in your plum tree. The keys to getting rid of insects are timing and the correct insecticide.

Step 1

Spray the entire plum tree with dormant oil in late winter or early spring, .

Step 2

Use the insecticide spray after your plum tree has flowered and the petals have dropped off. Spray all the branches.

Step 3

Spray the whole plum tree again 5 to 10 days later. Immediately pick up and discard ripening plums as they may contain plum curculio larva.

Step 4

Spray with miticide if needed. Alternate between two products or use the dormant oil to spray the whole tree. Check your plum tree very few weeks and spray dormant oil in the affected limbs.

Step 5

Clean up fallen fruit and remove damaged limbs and leaves to avoid further insect invasion.