Basic-H & Apple Trees

Aphids

• Aphids are soft-bodied insects that suck sap from plant tissues. Rosy apple aphids, which feed on leaves and fruit, green apple aphids, which feed on new growth, and woolly apple aphids, which feed on bark and roots, are common pests of apple trees. As aphids feed, they excrete a sweet substance called honeydew, which encourages the growth of sooty mold. Although sooty mold does not feed on plants, it creates a black film that coats leaves and inhibits photosynthetic activity of apple trees.

Insecticidal Soaps

• Insecticidal soaps are organic insecticides that work best on aphids and other soft-bodied insects. Soaps are contact killers; they are effective only when sprayed directly on insects. They work by damaging the protective waxy coating that covers insects and destroying cell membranes, which causes cell contents to bleed. Insecticidal soaps are available commercially as premixed preparations, but gardeners often make their own formulations. The Organic Agricultural Centre of Canada recommends Basic-H as an insecticidal soap control against aphids.

Basic-H

• As described on the manufacturer's website, Shaklee.com, Basic-H is an organic cleaner that is safe to use on plants. It contains linear alcohol alkoxylates, which are ethoxylate-based surfactants, according to the Industrial Technology Development Institute. Surfactants give “stickiness” to chemical compounds, which makes them last longer on surfaces and increases their absorption rates. Basic-H is a concentrated soap that is diluted by mixing with water before spraying on apple tree aphids. It is biodegradable, contains no solvents and does not persist in the landscape.

Limitations

• As a contact insecticide, Basic-H must be sprayed directly on aphids and other pests. Insects frequently congregate underneath leaves, so sprays must be directed upward to make contact. After the spray dries on leaves, bark and fruit, there is no residual effectiveness. Insects are not killed by ingesting sprayed plant tissues or by walking across them. Repeat applications are often needed, after monitoring trees reveals the presence of more pests. Hard water reduces the efficacy of insecticidal soaps.