How to Care for Raspberries Taken Over By Aphids

Aphids are various insects of Aphis species that feed on plant fluids. In fact, the color of their bodies is the same as the color of the sap they drink -- black, red, pink, brown or green, for the most part. Although aphids suck the plant's sap and attract sooty mold, their greatest threat comes from viruses they transmit to the plant during feeding. You cannot cure raspberry bushes infected with any of those viruses. Your only alternative is to destroy the sick bush. Eliminate aphids from your raspberry plants to prevent a fatal viral infection.

Garden hose
Malathion 25 percent wettable powder
Rotenone dust
Sprayer

Instructions

- 1
  Spray aphids with strong jets of water from a garden hose. The water force dislodges the insects and it presents a solution that is safe for you and the environment.
- 2
  Encourage natural predators to go in your garden by keeping the area pesticide free. Minute pirate bugs, lady beetles, lacewings and syrphid flies feed on aphids, preventing and eliminating infestations.
- 3
  Treat the raspberry bush with an insecticide as a last resort. Apply 4 tbsp. malathion 25 percent wettable powder or rotenone dust to the plant right after the flower petals fall to the ground. Dissolve the malathion according to the rates listed on the label of the brand you select. Add it to a sprayer's tank to treat the raspberry plant. Dust the aphids with the dry rotenone straight out of the bag. Repeat treatment as instructed by either product's label.

How to Prune a Raspberry Bush

How to Put Pine Needles on Your Blueberry Bushes

Growing Berries