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I've been using IPM and permaculture in my yard, attracting lots of aphid-eating predators like lady beetles and hoverflies, and trying to be patient and let nature so its thing, balance out. Aphids are important food for many insects and birds, you know. But the population on my young plum trees has absolutely exploded this year, and I'm afraid our bountiful crop is going to be ruined.

I've accepted I'll have to use a spray when they go dormant to try to break the cycle. But what can I do now to help my poor plums not get destroyed? Neem oil would hurt the beneficial insects, too.

We have ducks constantly fertilizing the trees this year for the first time, which probably isn't helping ...