Comments on: How to Get Rid of Sawflies Naturally (Larvae and Adults)

By: Max R.

Max R. — Sat, 25 Sep 2021 18:11:52 +0000

I have a problem with dusky birch sawfly. North Carolina mountains zone 6 1/2. First year just the top of tree (healthy river birch 5 yr old from nursery) was eaten…I ignored. This summer it was the same top, and then-the whole tree is skeletonized! My question is: can I treat the over-wintering pre-pupae with insecticide now (late Sept) to minimize the spring emergence? Tree is mulched at bottom and I don’t see any signs of insects burrowing in. I plan to use imidacloprid in spring… Help!

By: Lynne

Lynne — Tue, 03 Aug 2021 07:28:45 +0000

My newly planted magnolia is being attached by the sawfly I think … the pictures look like the leaves shown on your website. But – I have yet to see the little caterpillar type larvae – not a sign … just holes in the leaves. Would the banana skin trick work with the magnolia do you think??

By: Claire

Claire — Sun, 04 Jul 2021 07:39:55 +0000

In reply to Suz. Many thanks for sharing your experience here, Suz. I will definitely have a go with your method.

By: Rose

Rose — Sat, 05 Jun 2021 20:11:24 +0000

BT will not work on them – they are not true caterpillars. (Believe me – I tried it multiple times on my gooseberries – did absolutely nothing!) Then I read that they aren’t really caterpillars, so that’s why it doesn’t work on them. It only works on true caterpillars, which are the larvae of moth and butterfly species.

By: Marianne Brennan

Marianne Brennan — Sun, 30 May 2021 01:33:51 +0000

I used a dish soap and water mixture in a spray bottle snd sprayed all of my Creeping Jenny. I have a lot of it almost around my whole yard. I absolutely love it.
I believe the sawflies have reduced. My question is: will my Creeping Jenny come back or is it ruined for good? Thank you.

By: Suz

Suz — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 23:14:13 +0000

Strange but true, we put banana peel under our decimated gooseberry bushes and it solved the problem completely. Not even 1 chomped leaf. We used to cut them up and mix in with the soil around the base of the bush, but now we just sling them in the general direction. I read somewhere they don’t like the smell and didn’t really believe it at first, but 2 years on, we actually have a good crop and no more evidence of sawfly larvae.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 06 Dec 2020 05:18:12 +0000

Awesome article.

By: Gabrielle Byrne

Gabrielle Byrne — Sat, 31 Oct 2020 00:56:50 +0000

Great article! Is there any reason why your suggestions wouldn’t work in Australia? We have a large Callistemon Hedge (about 7 metres long and 4 metres high, about 15 years old) and last year it was almost decimated by sawfly larva. I did use Confidor on it, which worked well, but would prefer to use a natural substance. Thanks for your reply

By: Gaye

Gaye — Sun, 12 Jul 2020 09:23:27 +0000

I have a 35 year old 6 acre arboretum with huge trees that have been devastated by, having read the above, sawflies. I just dont know what to do to get rid of them. This is the second year it has happened. They attack all the soft green leaved trees. Any suggestion would be gratefully received.

By: Anthony

Anthony — Thu, 02 Jul 2020 16:26:29 +0000

In reply to Sue. Corrected! Thanks, Sue!