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Apricot · Prunus armeniaca

Why are there bugs on my apricot tree?

Aphids are the most common visitors to apricot trees, often clustering on new, tender growth. Check the undersides of your leaves for these tiny, soft bodied insects.

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pests on a plant
Photo: Jules Verne Times Two, CC BY-SA 4.0

Check these first

  1. Look at the undersides of new leaves.
  2. Check for sticky residue on the branches.
  3. See if ants are crawling up and down the trunk.

Likely causes

  1. Aphids

    Most likely

    How to tell: You will see clusters of tiny green or black insects on new shoots. They leave behind a sticky substance called honeydew.

    What to do: Spray the tree with a strong stream of water to knock them off. If they persist, use insecticidal soap or neem oil every 7 days.

  2. Scale Insects

    Possible

    How to tell: These look like small, hard bumps on the bark or stems. They do not move and can cause yellowing leaves.

    What to do: Scrape them off gently with a soft brush or apply horticultural oil during the dormant season. Avoid heavy pesticides that kill beneficial insects.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your apricot

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

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When to worry

A few aphids are normal, but if you see curled leaves and a heavy coating of sticky honeydew, you should treat the tree. Heavy infestations can weaken young trees.

Stopping it coming back

Encourage ladybugs and lacewings in your garden, as they are natural predators of aphids. Avoid over fertilizing, which creates too much soft growth that attracts pests.

Apricot: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your apricot and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

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Questions people ask

Why are ants all over my tree?
Ants are likely farming the aphids for their sweet honeydew. Getting rid of the aphids will usually make the ants leave.
Are these bugs harmful to me?
No, aphids and scale are harmless to humans. They only feed on the sap of your tree.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Apricot

Back to the Apricot guide

This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.