Sawflies blog post

How to Manage Sawflies Organically in Your Backyard Garden!

The sawfly larvae can be quite a nuisance for fruit trees and bushes. The flies (which look similar to wasps, but don’t sting) are hardly seen, but lay their eggs in the late spring in the leaves of trees. The larvae will then emerge in the summer looking similar to slugs. These can cause serious damage at this stage and take down an entire tree if left unchecked!

Treatments Include:

  • Adult sawflies can lay dormant within a cocoon in your soil over winter. Clean out any overwintering material and till soil.
     
  • Simply handpick sawfly larvae from undersides of leaves and place in soapy bucket of water.
     
  • Spray undersides of leaves with hose careful to not destroy your leaves. The larvae will be stuck at the base and shouble be unable to crawl back up.
     
  • Put your beneficial predators to work! Ants, predatory wasps, lizards, and frogs can prey upon these sawfly larvae. Learn about how to attract them by clicking the links above or in the beneficials tab of our free app!
     
  • Diatomaceous earth can also be laid down around your garden to help get rid of them.
     

Plants to Specifically Watch:

  • Sawflies will typically attack fruit trees and berry bushes in your gardens. The most common of which are plums, pears, and cherries.

Check out our free iOS, Android, & web app that will help you grow over 100 different fruits, vegetables, and herbs and walk you through organic pest management!

food growing guides
pests

Share:

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
LinkedIn

Leave a Reply

On Key

Related Posts

🛠 How to Build a DIY PVC Dome Hoophouse

Want to protect your garden from frost, pests, or harsh weather? Learn how to build a simple and affordable DIY PVC dome hoophouse using just a few materials from your local hardware store. This step-by-step guide shows you exactly how to create a reusable garden cover that fits over raised beds—perfect for year-round growing, organic gardening, and extending your harvest season. Whether you’re using greenhouse plastic, insect netting, or a frost blanket, this PVC hoophouse build is a must-have solution for gardeners of all skill levels.

How to Add a Custom Plant in the Seed to Spoon App

Can’t find a plant in the Seed to Spoon app? No problem! With our custom plant feature, you can easily add any plant you’re growing—even rare or unusual varieties. Whether you’re entering details manually or scanning a seed packet, this step-by-step guide will show you exactly how to make sure your garden is fully personalized and your planting dates stay on track.