Pest identification
What's eating my saskatoon 'smoky'?
Birds
Signs: Sweet, large berries taken by robins, waxwings, and starlings as soon as they colour up.
Control: Net from early colour change; harvest frequently; remove fallen fruit to avoid attracting additional birds.
Pear slug sawfly (Caliroa cerasi)
Signs: Olive-green slimy larvae graze the upper leaf surface; affected leaves dry and brown.
Control: Apply kaolin clay or neem oil; knock larvae off with water; a second generation may appear in late summer.
Aphids
Signs: Colonies on new shoot tips cause leaf curl and reduced shoot extension.
Control: Blast off with water; use insecticidal soap; encourage ladybirds and hoverflies.
Keep saskatoon 'smoky' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Saskatoon 'Smoky' pests — FAQ
What is eating my saskatoon 'smoky'?
Saskatoon 'Smoky' produces large, sweet berries that attract birds intensely — nets are non-negotiable at harvest. Pear slug sawfly defoliates leaves from mid-summer. Saskatoon bud moth reduces flowering in spring. Aphids may cluster on new shoots. Deer browse winter canes. Good site hygiene and early monitoring reduce all four threats.
How do I get rid of birds on saskatoon 'smoky'?
Sweet, large berries taken by robins, waxwings, and starlings as soon as they colour up. Net from early colour change; harvest frequently; remove fallen fruit to avoid attracting additional birds.
How do I get rid of pear slug sawfly (caliroa cerasi) on saskatoon 'smoky'?
Olive-green slimy larvae graze the upper leaf surface; affected leaves dry and brown. Apply kaolin clay or neem oil; knock larvae off with water; a second generation may appear in late summer.
How do I get rid of aphids on saskatoon 'smoky'?
Colonies on new shoot tips cause leaf curl and reduced shoot extension. Blast off with water; use insecticidal soap; encourage ladybirds and hoverflies.