Confidor-Possible aphid infection

[Levuccio]

Hey guys

My fig tree has lots of ants walking up and down the tree for a while now, and no new growth occurred since the start of the spring and occasionally a leaf or two fall from the tree.
I am suspecting that I might have aphids on the tree, so I got some confidor for my mate but now Im not too sure how much should I dilute it.
Anyone knows that?

Cheers

Levuccio

[Pup]

You have more than likely an infection of Scale, look for the little buggers on the leaves underside as well as on the trunk.
PEST oil is better for scale. NOT WHITE oil it blocks the stomata. Just spray then watch for the buggers on other tree's.
Confidor will help to stop them recurring, it will also stop aphis for a while.
When ever you see a lot of ant activity, check all your trees for these types of nasties.

Cheers Pup

[NBPCA]

With all chemicals there should be a label stating which pest/disease it is effective for and the dilution rates.

Always check and recheck each time.

Wear appropriate clothing for each chemical as well.

Grant

[jadeli89]

check your poor fig tree.. just an obvious sign that something is really wrong with it.. hmm i wonder why the ants all are stuck up in there..

[Taffy]

Sounds very much like scale to me as well Levuccio. Scale comes in may colours - black, brown, pink, white etc. Have a good look at your tree. What you may think is a node on a branch or the trunk could well be a scale insect. Lightly scrape it with a fingernail. A node won't come off - scale will.

Check the leaf veins, under the leaves, at the base of the petioles, along the twigs and branches and at the base of both and down the trunk and any exposed roots. Also, if there are any fissures in the bark, check there as well. Check for black 'sooty' stains on the leaves twigs and branches. That's another indication of scale. Ants 'farm' them - the same as they do with Aphids. They exude a 'honey-dew' which is what the ants are interested in.

Confidor won't touch them, so as Pup suggested, use Pest oil - not white oil. Or, if you have plenty of time on your hands, pick them off with your fingernail - been there - done that! I spent 2 days picking the things off a large fig I have - and they haven't come back since.

Most of the scale I've had here has come from purchased general Garden Nursery Stock - and the mongrels do migrate!