Agriculture: Prune Pest Management Guidelines

Dormancy / Delayed-Dormancy

This year-round IPM program covers the major pests of prune in California.

Dormancy/delayed-dormancy (leaf fall to bud swell)

What should you be doing during this time?

If aphids are a chronic problem, treat during the period from November 1 to the end of December.

Take a dormant spur sample for San Jose scale, mites, and aphids (if not treated in November).

  • Keep records on a monitoring form (PDF).
  • Treat if needed according to Prune Pest Management Guideline.

Delay treatment for peach twig borer until bloom time.

During pruning, look for dead wood caused by shothole borer and Pacific flatheaded borer. Prune and burn infested branches.

Knock off and destroy mummy fruit to reduce brown rot problems.

Allow resident vegetation to grow; monitor weeds in October and November.

Keep records of other pests you may see:

  • Euriophyid mites
  • Fruittree leafroller egg masses
  • Italian pear scale
  • Peach twig borer hibernacula
  • Pocket gophers
  • Tree borers
  • Voles
Text Updated: 06/06
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