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Navarre,OH

Anyone have any good methods for controlling aphids?
Last year I had trouble getting rid of aphids on my pink brandywines. I tried Ortho pest controls controls and neem oil and I think I heard them laughing at me as they stayed.
The plant was well over 6' tall and about 5' wide so they didn't kill the plant or slow down fruit production but it bothered me to share my fav maters with them damn plant suckers.
Anyone have good sure proof methods of getting rid of them?

3/20/2011 7:03:59 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Call Tom!!! LOL...guessin aphids aren't a prblm in NY!!! But, also guessin he has a good answer!!! Peace, Wayne

3/22/2011 2:10:18 AM

East Carbon, Utah

I also would appreciate any advice for getting rid of these little suckers - aphids are my major garden nemesis! Even if they don't directly impact fruit production, they transmit foliage diseases and/or make their host plants more susceptible to disease, as was evidenced in my garden last year.

Using a strong stream of water is a reasonably effective method for larger plants. A pump-up sprayer or hose-end nozzle works, but you need to spray thoroughly and under every leaf. This is just a temporary fix, of course, and it takes a lot of time.

The water spray method is not practical for the hundreds of small, tender seedlings I'm raising indoors: HELP - the aphids are multiplying like crazy!

I've tried liquid dish soap (specifically Lemon Joy) and dormant oil spray, but I have to take my seedlings outdoors for these treatments - and do these methods even qualify as "organic"?

I've had ZERO luck with Neem oil for any pest contol issues. I tried the mass ladybug release method with no success. In my experience, aphids reproduce far too fast for the ladybugs to keep up.

3/25/2011 7:02:23 PM

Okla

What Tremor told me several years ago was it is hard to kill aphids with most chemicals. He said the best thing to use for aphids was a good spreader sticker because it coats them and causes them to die. There was a brand that I can not remember now they said was best to use. Maybe someone will know and post.

3/25/2011 8:24:07 PM

Mastic Beach, New York

All Seasons Horticultural Spray Oil

3/26/2011 11:05:16 AM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

Aphids are a big problem here....but...since we started using a systemic insecticide a few years back, they havent been an issue at all.
We carry a systemic insecticide that is listed for aphids item # 1316, it is very effective. If you can fine merit or its generic equal (we carry Systemic granules, item # 1209 and # 1210) I highly recommend using it. As far as organic, we carry Hot Pepper Wax Concentrate, item #1025, the label includes Aphids as one of the pests that itn can control.
You have to be proactive with aphids, if you wait until you are infested with them, it will be a major chore to eradicate them.
Tom
www.extremepumpkinstore.com

3/27/2011 6:45:29 PM

Navarre,OH

I figured out where I planted the tomatoes last year probably aided in my problem of aphids. In my yard we have several different types of ants and about 12ft or so from my maters is where a massive carpenter ant hill happened to be.
I have a feeling those ants where using my plants as aphid farms. If I wanna cut down on aphids I think I need to work on those ants also but there are so many of them I have no idea what to do about that many diff ants.

3/27/2011 7:10:38 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

Bill, obviously, if you are planning to consume the tomatoes, do not use merit or any insecticide that isnt labeled for vegetables, if you are growing for size, then do what you need to do to control them.
Tom

3/29/2011 12:26:33 AM