Welcome to Capital Arborists: Sacramento’s Professional Eco-Friendly Solution to Aphid Suppression
At Capital Arborists, we understand the vital role trees and shrubs play in the beauty and ecological balance of the Sacramento area.
When aphids invade, the health and beauty of your trees is threatened. Aphids leave behind sticky sap, leaving you with sticky trees, sticky cars, sticky patios, and a headache. Aphids aren’t just annoying – they also suck nutrients from trees and can wreck the health and beauty of your prized roses, Crape Myrtles, Oaks, and other trees. Left unchecked, you’ll have a mess!
That’s where we come in. Our dedicated team of Sacramento ISA Certified Arborists specializes in treating trees and shrubs to effectively combat aphid infestations while adhering to the most environmentally sound practices.
Our approach to aphid suppression is rooted entirely in sustainability and the well-being of your landscape. We employ cutting-edge science and innovative techniques to target aphids without disrupting the delicate ecological equilibrium of your trees and garden.
Our plant health care team aren’t just technicians – they’re ISA Certified Arborists, each with long careers in exactly this – treating Sacramento trees for aphids and other pests and diseases. You have true professionals on your property, able to answer questions, spot issues, and aid your trees with exactly what they need.
Why choose Capital Arborists for aphid suppression?
We practice not just treating to suppress aphids but in growing a healthy, thriving environment where trees and shrubs can resist pests naturally. Our team of plant health care professionals and ISA Certified Arborists has decades of experience working with trees, tree diseases, and tree pests – all gained right here in the Sacramento area. We know Sacramento trees, and we know how to efficiently and effectively suppress aphids!
We never use broad-spectrum insecticides to suppress aphids! What is a broad-spectrum? These are ‘old school’ pesticides that are known to wreak havoc on landscapes. Broad spectrums are just what they sound like – they’ll kill everything they touch, including beneficial bugs and insects that naturally reduce major tree pest infestations. Harming beneficial insects is not our style, nor what’s best for your landscape! Here at Capital Arborists, we take a different approach – instead, injecting the soil with a product that only suppresses the aphids. Never harming the ‘good guys’ of your garden!
What is the stickiness from the tree?
The sticky substance from an aphid infestation is their waste. Yep, it’s aphid poop! Aphids feed on the tree and leave sugar behind in the form of sticky honeydew. While it’s not in itself hazardous to humans or pets, it does leave a huge mess and often leads to other sugar seeking insects moving in, like ants, cockroaches, and scale.
Do aphids harm trees?
Yes! Beyond the mess they leave behind, we suppress aphid infestations because aphids are sucking insects. They move in onto leaves and stems and suck the nutrients, water, and vigor out of the tree or shrub. Small amounts of aphids are a normal part of any backyard ecosystem and serve as food for beneficials, but infestations that cause that noticeable amount of sap and stickiness are signs your tree could be in trouble and the aphids should be suppressed.
Are there trees more susceptible to aphids?
There are trees most susceptible to aphids! All trees can get them, but aphids particularly love roses, Crape Myrtles, Oaks, and Maples.
How do I know I have an aphid problem?
Aphids are little insects that usually appear as green, orange, or purple. Most often found on the underside of leaves, or on leaf stems (sometimes on branches as well if there are a lot of them!). Most of our clients will notice the mess they leave first, though! Sticky clear dots all over your windshield, patio, furniture, or plants below an infested tree are a pretty good tell for aphids having moved in. Our ISA Certified Arborists will stop by and confirm the diagnosis before we set up any treatments to make sure it’ll be effective!
How do you treat for aphids?
We perform what is called a Merit Systemic Treatment. It’s an injection into the soil that is absorbed with water through the vascular system of the tree, and goes into the leaves and tissues. As an aphid sucks from that leaf or tissue, they get a dose of the treatment and suppression as a whole begins!
Will I get total control with this treatment? Will all of the aphids be gone?
We subscribe to suppression is best. Your infestation and sappy sticky mess should be mitigated, but occasional aphids may return as part of a healthier ecosystem. You likely won’t notice or have trouble from them!
Is this a one time thing?
While we can do a one time treatment, aphids will need to be suppressed at once or twice per year (depending on your trees!) for sustainable results.
Can I get this product myself?
Nope! While it used to be available over the counter in less concentrated formulas, environmental protections in California have changed and it’s only available to professionals with proper licensing and professional training to apply the treatment to trees. This license is called a Qualified Applicator’s License from the California DPR, and you can meet our plant health care professionals here!
Who is going to come out to inject my soil for this?
One of our licensed plant health care professionals! They’re a highly knowledgeable team of arborists and can answer any tree or aphid questions you’ve got while they’re out!
Does this harm beneficial insects?
It does not, and that’s why we use this specific method! The merit treatment is efficient, tree safe, and safe for pets, humans, and beneficials.
How much does aphid suppression cost?
It depends on how much of the product and time we’ll need to treat the soil, and that depends on a few factors, like the tree’s size, location, and if other trees and shrubs will be treated as well while we’re out. Our estimates are complimentary, and our ISA Certified Arborists would love to come meet with you, take a look at your trees, answer any questions, and get you an estimate for handling aphids if need be.
Contact us today to schedule a visit with one of our ISA Certified Arborists and take the first step towards a healthier landscape!
Our mission is to help your trees thrive, while giving you peace of mind that expert help is just a phone call away.
We provide complete, full service tree care for Sacramento –
Tree Pruning, Tree Removal, Organic Tree Fertilization, Pest & Disease Mitigation, Aphid Suppression, & Tree Planting
We proudly service the Greater Sacramento Area, including Sacramento, Roseville, Rocklin, Lincoln, Newcastle, Penryn, Loomis, Auburn, Granite Bay, Folsom, Carmichael, West Sacramento, Davis, El Dorado Hills, Orangevale, Citrus Heights, Gold River, Rio Linda, Elverta, Fair Oaks, Rancho Murieta, Lake of the Pines, Applegate, Meadow Vista, Woodland, Wheatland, and Rancho Cordova.
Reviews from Sacramento, CA
“Fantastic company and super knowledgeable staff! Lisa spent over an hour with me going over each of the trees on my lot and explaining the best ways to trim – or not trim – them. No effort to upsell, just going through the best ways to accomplish my goals!! Fantastic price, too! Very reasonable for the scope of work. Plus on the day of, they actually trimmed two additional trees in order to get at the main tree without disturbing my neighbors. I can’t recommend them highly enough. You will not be disappointed!”
-Maria, Sacramento
“We got quotes for a smaller job and a bigger job – we went with the bigger job. The folks who came out to give the estimates were fantastic, kind, knowledgeable, and respected the deep reverence I have for my large Magnolia and Avocado trees. Their crew out this morning and each member of the team introduced themselves and were all super friendly, professional, and did an amazing job. They were accommodating to our yard furniture, helped move items, checked in to make sure the work was done to my satisfaction, cleaned up, and were really a great crew!”
-Karen, Sacramento
“This is my second time having Capital Arborists trim and shape trees and tall Camellia bushes in my yard and once again I am very pleased with their service. They really listen to what I want done – no foliage touching the roof of my house, shaping large Camellia bushes and a tree – and follow those requests exactly… I will definitely call them next year!”
-Elaine, Sacramento
Looking for more resources on caring for your Sacramento trees?
Check out our learning page full of tree care tips from our Sacramento area expert ISA Certified Arborists, or any of these –
