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Texas

Help, i have been fighting aphids. what do i use? last year my plants fell victim to the mosaic virus.

2/3/2007 5:44:00 PM

Danville, CA (petman2@yahoo.com)

I use Merit or Ortho Max with bifenthrin. Only problem is that once the aphid bites the leaf, it will pass the disease. It will also die, but it will be too late. I am sure Steve will also chime in. Need to kill all aphids and other bugs within a 10 mile radius from what I hear.

2/4/2007 9:08:30 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

This is true. Aphids can vector Mosaic in as little as 6 seconds. No normal insecticide works this fast. I've thought of using computer controlled perimeter misters to spray a fog of Garlic Barrier at regular intervals. This *could* work to repel aphids during the prime vectoring season. But it almost certainly would raise the ire of our neighbors too.

Imidacloprid (Admire/Merit/etc) is a good systemic for controlling aphids. Bifenthrin & other contacts work well too. Used correctly these will prevent aphid infestations from happening. They just aren't fast enough to prevent virus transmission if an infected host plant is near by.

2/4/2007 11:02:57 PM

Montoursville, PA

I have an endless supply of garlic here and there about the property. The garlic when whipped into water by a yard sale early type blender is a good preventive and safe application. Aphids are very quick to become monster aphids while being sprayed with nearly any insecticide. You can create your own monsters in as little as a few weeks. Plain old soapy water and or horticulture oils are as good as any to knock them down and smother them.

2/5/2007 12:53:43 PM