What Spray Is Used to Keep the Bugs Off of Peach Trees?

Growing peaches requires a good pesticide program.

Peach trees are susceptible to many kinds of pests. It is important to have a good pesticide program to control these pests. Timing is as important as the type of spray used.

Pink Stage

At the pink stage, just before blooms open, peach trees should be sprayed with either permethrin, carbaryl, gammacyhalothrin, a pyrethrin/PBO mixture or esfenvalerate. One of these should be sprayed again as the last blooms are falling.

Shuck Split

When the last shucks -- the sepals that used to hold the flower -- have split, spray again. Use one of the already mentioned sprays, unless aphids are a problem; in that case, use malathion.

Ongoing Spray

As the fruit begins to mature, the preferred spray to keep bugs from peach trees is carbaryl, though any of the sprays already mentioned can be used. If mites are a problem, spray with an insecticidal soap.

References

• Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet; Growing Peaches and Nectarines in the Home Landscape: Insect and Disease Management; Gary Gao
• Ohio State University Extension; Controlling Diseases and Insects in Home Fruit Plantings; Dr. Celeste Welty, Dr. Michael A. Ellis; 2010 (Table 13)