Aphids Delivered by Ants - Tanglefoot to the Rescue

Tweet

Having experienced this trick before this year I identified it early. Though only leafing for a couple of weeks the peach tree's leaves began to curl (see pic). Closer inspection revealed loads of aphids. Closer still and I was able to see that aunts were running up and down the tree busily. They raise aphids!
I applied a simple remedy. First I washed down the infected parts of the tree with soapy water to reduce the aphid population. I tried to flood them out and wash them away. Then I took a product called Tanglefoot, a sticky goo that's similar to melted lip balm but sticker. I painted it on the tree trunk being sure to go all the way around it. The aunts will not cross it, they are not able to. I went ahead and checked all the other fruit trees and while none were infected by aphids yet the aunts were marching up and down the trunks. I applied tanglefoot to all. Now I just need a little ladybug action.

I put up to shots, one of a normal leaf on the peach tree and the other showing the aphid infested crumbled leaf.