So you’ve tried hosing them off. You’ve tried soap and ladybugs, and the aphids have taken over your garden. You’re not alone. These little buggers are out in force but you can get the upper hand.
Aphids are destructive little critters that feed on your plants by piercing and sucking. They appear most often on roses but, you’ll need to keep a watchful eye on your crape myrtles on vegetables too.
Info on the Icky Aphid Critters Available at
UC Davis Integrated Pest Management
I love crape myrtle trees and often hear people complain about “sticky goo” from the tree. Well folks, it’s not the tree. Hate the bug and LOVE the tree! The sticky goo is a by-product of aphids called honey-dew. The honey-dew is the excrement of the aphid; the waste they leave behind after sucking the juices from your prized plants. I know! Ew!
Aphids can cause damage (or death in young or stressed plants), unsightly foliage and a host of other problems. The honey-dew attracts ants; who fees on the honey-dew and the ants have developed a protective nature over their creepy little aphid friends.
Another sign of aphid damage will be a fungus called sooty mold which results from the honey dew.
Lastly, damaged plants are stressed, unattractive and susceptible to other pests and diseases. Suffice it to say, it’s in your best interest to rid your garden of aphids. There are a number of effective ways to do so.
Here are some options. For trees, there are liquid mix-and-pour systemic products that are available for both ornamentals (crape myrtles) and edibles (different products). Some of these products need only be used once a year (bonus!) and are readily available at the garden center.
For other plants there are also fast acting sprays, long lasting systemic products in granules or even liquids or sprays that can give you protection for up to 30 days.
Find a good garden center and they can help you choose what might work best for your situation. Keep in mind there are organic products too. Always remember, the responsibility falls on you to read the directions (not that hard) and follow those directions (duh).
For the purist: Here are a few suggestions. Birds help with insect control. Attracting birds can help and I’ve heard some about herbs and sweet alyssum being helpful to that end. That said, I have a lot of birds around, and enjoy them immensely but, don’t find them to be a reliable means of pest control; especially on bird desirable crops and ornamentals. You might have better luck with some diligent work with the hose, frequent monitoring and organic insecticides.
If you wish to continue the insecticidal soap or crop oil method, brava! You are more patient than I. Just take caution to know that this is a dicey proposition as the weather warms and is not recommended on stressed plants that have a lot of damage.
I prefer to go with products that offer some lasting protection so I can go about other things; i.e. spend more time in the swing with a cup of joe and the pup at my feet.
Let’s get digging!
Look at the puppa!! Sucha cutie. OKay– SO interesting you mention this, because WOW do we have aphid issues. Our choice was to use a product we got at Lowe’s. It worked well… though it definitely wasn’t organic.
Yep. She’s not one bit spoiled neither! O-kay. Yes… Conditions are ripe this year for critters. I got caught by surprise, myself. I’m going with systemics and sprays. They came hard upon my lovelies and must go. They serve no good purpose.
systemic is the best, but can be harmful so read the cautionary part. soapy water doesnt touch them. i have beautiful roses they seem to attack and attack. plus my white pope john paul roses get attack by beetles and have ugle holes in them. on a side not a cheap safe weed killer,white vinegar. swear by it. really works. straight do not dilute.
Staci
http://www.youravon.com/swells-mefford
I have practically killed 2 rose bushes trying to kill the aphids. I was so proud of myself, I thought I have finally got the little suckers…and the next day I go out and half the leaves are just GONE on my rose bushes. Hubby was wondering why I was so upset…GEE….I practically killed them. It broke my heart!!!
Staci. Japanese Beetles love the first spring bloom and are most drawn to your lovely white blooms. They are very resistant. The good news is that they go away with the heat. The best defense is to use the products (according to directions) but if they don’t work, don’t worry. The beetles will soon be gone with the heat. BTW-Love Pope John Paul. Rare is a fragrant white tea rose and this is a wonderful, relatively new introduction.
Teresa. In high high doses some insecticides can cause deformity in foliage but loss of foliage is rare unless you sprayed something esp. oil during the heat of the day. Take care to wash your sprayer carefully, follow directions and use products available to the home consumer only. The good news is that roses LOVE to bloom on new growth. Don’t be afraid to cut away damaged growth. New growth should come quickly. If it is also deformed, repeat. It should eventually grow out and recover. Avoid heavy pruning on climbing roses.
Wow! Roses look great right now!
Thanks so much Annie…I did prune the heck out of the lil babies and I really talked to them and told them to straighten up they meant a lot to me…LOL So we shall see how we do. I have to say I have NEVER seen so many in my life!!! Nasty little creatures!
Teresa. Yay! I love it. A few loving words always go a long way. This is such a temperate spring they are going to be beautiful.
We use a safe, non-toxic product from Shaklee. I was so impressed by the numerous uses for their concentrated product – so inexpensive! – that I became a distributor. Happy to let you try the product. Contact me at tracinielsen@yahoo.com to check it out.