Grease bands on fruit trees and other fruiting plants
A grease band is a band of sticky material, often petroleum jelly, insecticidal soap or grease band grease, applied around the trunk of a fruit tree to trap and kill crawling insects such as caterpillars, which can cause damage to the tree’s leaves and fruit. The band acts as a physical barrier that the insects cannot crawl over, and the stickiness of the material traps them so they cannot move away.
How to install grease bands on fruit trees
You can use a pre-made grease band most garden centres sell them or you make your own
Installing a grease band on a fruit tree is a relatively simple process that can be done at any time of year. Here are the basic steps to follow:
- Gather materials: You will need a roll of sticky grease band material or some plastic sheeting. Use petroleum jelly or insecticidal soap, and a paintbrush or similar tool to apply it.
- Clean the trunk: Make sure the trunk of the tree is clean and free of debris, so the grease band will stick properly.
- Apply the band about a metre up the main trunk Use the paintbrush to apply a thick layer of the sticky material around the trunk of the tree, or you can wrap some plastic sheeting around the trunk and use two string ties around the plastic sheeting to secure it. Make sure the band is at least 2-3 inches wide and covers the entire trunk.
- Monitor: Check the band periodically throughout the growing season and reapply as needed.
Note: Be sure to remove the band in the fall after the growing season is over, to avoid attracting insects to overwinter on the tree.
Also, you may want to consider using alternative methods such as pheromone traps, parasitic wasps, or natural predators like birds and ladybugs.