Natural way of getting rid of little green aphids on bushes. They are sucking the life out of new growth.?

Question

I have used and used Organocide. I was disappointed. I have thought about buying some ladybugs. If there is a place to buy them in Florida Delray Beach area I am interested. I was hoping to maybe here that something like vinegar would work.

Answer 1

I've had aphids in some of my plants since moving to Virginia, and have successfully battled them!

First, kill all the ones you see - squish them with your fingers. Inspect your plants leaf-by-leaf, especially the under sides, and the curled-up baby leaves.

If your plant is too big for this, then simply go on to step 2.

Step 2: wash your plant carefully with water, being sure to get all the difficult-to-reach places

Step 3: take some natural soap and water and make a mixture. The aphids cannot cling to a plant if its leaves are soapy, but do not use a detergent with chemicals. Wash your plants thoroughly.

Now, even after you do this entire process, your little plant guy is still not out of danger, because there may be aphid eggs lurking around. Check your plant DAILY. Keep attacking those little critters. If you are more diligent than they are, you can beat them.

I've successfully remover aphids from my pepper plants and my mint plants at one point or another. It also helps if you can remove the infected plant from others to keep the aphids from spreading.

Hope this helps ;-)

Answer 2

You can squirt them off with a strong stream of water. Or you can mix a little detergent with the water and that will kill them--you just don't want to over do it because you could end up with too much detergent on the ground.

A good alternative to these is to use Neem Oil. Bonide markets some called Rose3in1 Rx. Other companies have it too. It is extracted from neem seeds. When you spray it on the plants it coats the aphids and they suffocate--no poison. Neem is also good because it has some fungicidal properties to help protect your plant from disease. After using neem oil you just wash your hands, same as if you were using corn oil.

Answer 3

Vinegar will probably kill your plants, so don't go that route. The diluted dishwashing detergent idea would probably work, but make sure you use an organic, biodegradable one with no phosphates. A safer alternative would be to use Safer brand (pun intended) insecticidal soap, which is designed specifically for the purpose of killing aphids and certain other insects and does not harm the environment.

http://www.saferbrand.com/

Answer 4

According to a nursery mag; they say forget them because in a month after they show up the ladybug and other benificial insects arrive and EAT them. save your money...or use 50%water alcohol in a spray bottle. Its not real toxic to the ladybugs and they have to eat too..

Answer 5

leave the chemicals at the store on this one a good stiff spray of your garden hose is the most effective way to REMOVE them and spray the bushes with 1 tablespoon of dish washing liquid to a quart of water this will kill any new small bugs .

Answer 6

My mom used dish soap diluted in water to spray all plants that have lil bugs ...try it ....biodegradable dish soap should not harm the environment

Answer 7

try calling local nurseries asking about insect controls ala natural