Every spring, fruit enthusiasts eagerly await the harvest season. But this period is also when fruit trees are vulnerable to pest attacks. Aphids, scale insects, psyllids, and other harmful insects can cause significant damage to the leaves, fruits, and overall health of the trees. The use of chemical insecticides, while practical, presents significant risks to the environment, human health, and biodiversity. An ecological and effective solution exists: homemade glue.
Understanding the Enemies of Fruit Trees
Before embarking on the manufacture and use of homemade glue, it is crucial to understand the types of harmful insects that threaten fruit trees. Among the most common are:
- Aphids: These small insects, often green or black, feed on the sap of plants, weakening the tree and deforming the leaves and fruits. They can also transmit viral diseases to trees.
- Scale Insects: These insects protect themselves under a waxy shell and also feed on the sap of trees. They cause weakening and yellowing of leaves, as well as reduced fruit production.
- Psyllids: These insects sting the leaves and fruits, causing deformations, black spots, and a decrease in fruit quality.
The impact of these parasites on fruit trees is considerable. In addition to visual damage and harvest loss, trees can be weakened and more susceptible to diseases and unfavorable climatic conditions. Furthermore, the presence of these insects can affect the balance of the garden ecosystem by reducing the population of beneficial insects, such as ladybugs, which contribute to pollination and pest control.
The Benefits of Homemade Glue
Homemade glue offers an ecological and effective alternative to chemical insecticides for the protection of fruit trees. This solution has many advantages:
- Effectiveness: Homemade glue is an effective trap for flying and crawling insects. Its sticky texture captures them and prevents them from spreading, thus limiting tree infestation.
- Ecology: Homemade glue is non-toxic and does not pollute the environment. It does not contain harmful chemical substances for fauna, flora and human health. In addition, it is biodegradable and leaves no traces on the environment.
- Economy: The manufacture of homemade glue is very economical compared to the purchase of commercial products. The ingredients are easily accessible and inexpensive, which allows for considerable savings.
- Ease of Use: The manufacture and application of homemade glue are simple and quick. Simple recipes and easy-to-implement application techniques allow everyone to embark on this ecological and economical solution.
Recipes and Manufacturing Techniques for Homemade Glue
There are many homemade glue recipes to protect your fruit trees. Here are two simple and effective examples:
Recipe 1: Glue based on Vegetable Oil and Resin
Ingredients:
- 100 ml of vegetable oil (linseed oil, sunflower oil, rapeseed oil)
- 50 g of pine or fir resin
Instructions:
- Melt the resin over low heat in a bain-marie. Be sure to use a heat-resistant container.
- Add the vegetable oil to the melted resin and mix thoroughly until a homogeneous consistency is obtained.
- Let the mixture cool slightly before applying it to the traps. The glue should be warm enough to be malleable, but not too hot to avoid burns.
Recipe 2: Glue based on Wood Glue
Ingredients:
- 50 g of wood glue (water-based)
- 50 ml of water
Instructions:
- Mix the wood glue and water in a clean container. Use a wooden or plastic spoon to mix.
- Stir the mixture vigorously until you obtain a thick and sticky texture. The consistency should be thick enough to capture insects.
- Let the glue cool slightly before applying it to the traps. The glue should be warm enough to be malleable, but not too hot to avoid burns.
To make your glue traps, you can use cardboard, wood, or plastic. It is important that the surface is clean and smooth to allow optimal application of the glue. You can also use adhesive paper or plastic strips that you will coat with glue. The choice of material will depend on your preferences and the availability of resources.
Techniques for Using and Maintaining Glue Traps
The placement of glue traps is crucial to maximize their effectiveness. It is advisable to install them on the trunk of the tree, near the areas where insects are generally present. You can also place traps on the branches, especially those that are infested. It is recommended to position the traps at an accessible height to facilitate maintenance and replacement of the glue.
The frequency of glue application depends on insect activity and climatic conditions. During periods of heavy infestation, it is recommended to renew the glue every 2 to 3 weeks. In less active periods, a monthly renewal may be sufficient. It is important to regularly monitor the traps to ensure that the glue is still effective and that insects cannot escape.
It is important to clean the traps and surfaces covered with glue regularly. Indeed, the glue can thicken and lose its effectiveness over time. Use a clean, dry cloth to remove dried glue and captured insects. Regular cleaning of the traps guarantees their effectiveness and prevents excessive accumulation of glue which could harm the tree.
To maximize the effectiveness of homemade glue, you can use pheromones that attract insects. It is also possible to plant repellent plants around fruit trees to deter parasites. Plants such as lavender, basil, garlic, and thyme can be used to create a less attractive environment for harmful insects.
Alternatives and Complements to Homemade Glue
Homemade glue is an ecological and effective solution for the protection of fruit trees. However, other non-chemical methods exist to combat harmful insects. Among these, we find:
- Beneficial Insects: Ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitoid wasps are natural predators of aphids and scale insects. You can attract them to your garden by planting honey-bearing flowers and providing them with a suitable habitat. Ladybugs, for example, feed on aphids and can help control their population naturally.
- Companion Plants: Some plants can repel harmful insects or attract their natural enemies. Basil, lavender, garlic, and thyme are examples of companion plants that can be associated with fruit trees. Basil, for example, is known to repel mosquitoes and flies, while garlic can deter aphids.
- Spraying Techniques: The use of sprays based on water, black soap or plant infusions can help control populations of harmful insects. These solutions are not as effective as homemade glue, but they can be used in addition to provide better protection for the trees.
It is important to adopt an integrated approach to the protection of fruit trees. The combination of homemade glue with other ecological methods helps to create a balanced ecosystem and limit the use of harmful chemical products. By combining different techniques, you can maximize the chances of protecting your fruit trees from parasites and guaranteeing abundant and quality harvests.