Is It Snowing in Madison? Nope, It’s Woolly Hackberry Aphids

Every September in Madison, people step outside and wonder... “Why does it look like snow in the air when it’s still 85 degrees outside?” The answer isn’t a weather anomaly... it’s the woolly hackberry aphid, also known as the Asian hackberry aphid.

These tiny insects swarm hackberry trees and release a white, fluffy wax that drifts through the air like cotton or snow. It’s a strange sight...  and for many homeowners, a sticky nuisance.

 

What Exactly Are Woolly Hackberry Aphids?
The Shivaphis celti, originally from Asia, now common in the southern U.S. They are tiny, soft-bodied insects covered in a white, waxy substance.

 

Most noticeable in late summer through early fall. They specifically target hackberry trees, feeding on the sap in leaves.

 

You probably won’t notice them until their waxy fluff starts filling the air... or until your car is covered in their sticky leftovers.

 

 

How Do They Affect Madison Homeowners?
Woolly hackberry aphids don’t pose a direct health threat, but they create some major inconveniences. Their wax makes it look like flurries, confusing newcomers.

 

Their sap secretion, called honeydew, drips down, leaving surfaces tacky. Letting it buildup will attract black mold, which can make driveways, decks and even leaves look dirty. Finally... heavy infestations can weaken hackberry trees if repeated year after year.

 

Have you ever come outside to find your windshield coated with a sticky film overnight? That’s likely the honeydew at work.

 

Common Questions About Woolly Hackberry Aphids

 

Do they bite or sting?
Nope... they’re harmless to people and pets.

 

Will they kill my trees?
Unlikely. Hackberry trees can tolerate infestations, though repeated heavy ones may stress them.

 

Can I get rid of them?
Not easily. Insecticides aren’t practical on large trees and usually aren’t necessary.

 

How long do they stick around?
The peak season is usually late August through October and then they fade as cooler weather arrives.

 

 

What Can You Do About Them?
A quick rinse with a hose keeps your cars, decks and outdoor furniture clean. Stop killing ladybugs, lacewings and parasitic wasps because they feed on aphids. Stay away from insecticides are rarely effective and can harm beneficial insects. Arborists can apply targeted treatments, but most homeowners don’t need this unless infestations are severe every year. Like cicadas, they’re a seasonal nuisance. Once temperatures cool, they disappear until next year.

 

 

Why Madison Sees So Many
Our warm, humid climate and plentiful hackberry trees make North Alabama a perfect home for these insects. Once you know what they are, the sight of floating white flakes becomes less alarming... and maybe even a quirky seasonal marker, like the first falling leaves of autumn.

 

The next time someone visiting Madison asks, “Wait... is it snowing?!” you can smile and say, “Nope, just the woolly hackberry aphids again.”

 

They’re messy, they’re weird, but they’re also part of the rhythm of fall in Alabama. And maybe the real question is: would you rather clean honeydew in September, or shovel snow in January?