Aphids!

[mol]

This was posted by mythril:



APHIDS!!!!!!!
Hi all!

I know topic of this forum is specifically on indoor herbs but Id like to know how to get rid of Aphids without harming them or the plants in a out door herb harden!

And without picking them off one by one (*Grin)



The reason i started a new topic is because the old threads are little cumbersome to read through...

[eaglewolf]

Sometimes it becomes necessary to do a little harm now and again.

I have no solution which will not harm the aphids, aside from hand picking :D, but I do have a more natural one.

Try adding some predators to your garden like lady bugs. They love to eat them little buggers and other nasties too!

If this is not do-able, I can research some more... let me know!

~ew

[belladonna23]

Aphids are attracted to the color yellow (you will more often find them on yellowing plants that on healthy, green ones), so I have found that using yellow sticky traps works very well. These traps do not contain pesticides. You just hang them in the area where your plants are and the aphids will be attracted by the yellow color. One place I know you can purchase these traps is at http://www.naturescontrol.com
They also sell ladybugs there, and other insects which eat pests.
Aphids have a symbiotic relationship with ants. The ants actually keep aphids in their nests during the winter, and carry then to feeding sources in the spring. In return, the ants get to eat the aphids excretions, called "honeydew". So, if you can control the population of ants, you further reduce the chance of infestation by aphids.
Also, aphids can be washed off of plants with a fairly high-pressure water spray.

[eaglewolf]

I thought we were looking for non destructive ways...

...oh well, it is true aphids are naturally attracted to yellow. Attracting aphids to strategically planted flowers with yellow blooms can be effective if you do not mind planting them just for the aphids (aphids have to eat too).

We often use a yellow bowl filled with soapy water, which will trap the aphids. Try not to spill the soapy water in the bed, as it can kill any earth worms residing there, or drive them out of the bed. Earth worm excretions are one of the best natural fertilizers. They keep your soil beds freshly churned as well. :)

My grandfather often used a bowl of old motor oil, but YUCK! (that was a long time ago). You should see how he got bees out of his apple trees!!

Sometimes, just rubbing the leaves of a plant between your fingers can be very effective for removing aphids. The best route is preventing aphids in the first place, if possible.

Lots of luck!

~ew

[Lynnaea]

Since you will be using the herbs in teas or whatever it is really best to use organic methods. I find the easiest way to get rid of them is to squish the little bugs between your fingers, gently so not to harm the leaves.

If there are too many, or the plant leaves are too numerous buy some Safer's insecticidal soap, or more economically make your own. Use a bar of hand soap only, NOT detergent. Get a cheap soap without additives such as perfumes and softeners. A plain castile is ok, if you can get hold of some old fashioned home made soap that will be great. Now grate a little of the soap and add water. You only want a couple of tablespoons of soap to a gallon of water. Just enough to make a few bubbles. Put it in a clean spray bottle and spray on the critters. The soap clogs their breathing pores and sufficates them, but too strong a solution can burn the plants. So go easy, test on a few leaves if you are not sure, check them the next day and if they are ok, then it is safe to spray the whole plant. The soap also kills caterpillars.

Another thing about aphids, many aphids are spread by ants. The ants raise them like cattle and collect the sap the aphids suck out of the plants. If you can get rid of the ants the aphids might not come back.

[mythril]

Now wonder thay are mostly attacted to my camomile herbs!

I made some tea yesterday without realising that there were still a few aphids attached to the base of the flower!

But i drank it and im still alive(lol)

Now another question:

How do i attract lady bugs to my herb garden?

[eaglewolf]

Attracting lady bugs would depend on what region you live in...

You can always mail order them :).

~ew

[Celestite]

Saw your greenfly problem and would suggest 2 things

Firstly, plant garlic around the plants effected

Secondly make up this solution and spray on the plants

2 drops lavender
2 drops citronella

in a litre of water and spray on.

Hope this helps

[belladonna23]

In case anyone is still interested in this topic...
I was reading one of my gardening books and found that aphids are naturally repelled by garlic, coriander, and nasturtium (I've never heard of that last one).

[eaglewolf]

They are annuals, flowering in red, yellow, orange and something else (I think)...

The cool thing about nasturtiums is that the leaves and blooms are both edible (right from the garden), and are great for festive salads.

They are easy to maintain, prefer warm climates but will do okay in all but extremely cold climates. The more you cut the flowers, for boquets or salads etc., the longer they will produce blooms.

All in all, not a bad addition to any garden spot...

~ew

[mol]

Originally posted by eaglewolf
They are annuals, flowering in red, yellow, orange and something else (I think)...

The cool thing about nasturtiums is that the leaves and blooms are both edible (right from the garden), and are great for festive salads.

They are easy to maintain, prefer warm climates but will do okay in all but extremely cold climates. The more you cut the flowers, for boquets or salads etc., the longer they will produce blooms.

All in all, not a bad addition to any garden spot...

~ew

But, not as an inside plant in a indoor garden?