In the garden I have few problems with aphids, they are controlled by many different predators.
However when I bring plants under glass in the the fall the aphid population increase dramatically but there is no sign of the predators. Especially soft bodied young plants and seedlings are affected. I am afraid of using insecticides too much as some can damage the plants. I mostly use my fingers to squeeze the culprits but this is a tedious and tiresome task.
What do you do to keep aphids under control?
Comments
Re: Aphids
Ho
Have you ever tried a systemic insecticide? I have used them many times on soft tender cacti seedlings to control mealy bugs I have never experienced damage. I guess that is all I can recommend.
yes in fact I have! And once a lot of the seedlings wilted and died. I do think it was due to the systemic insecticide. However, I will try again, this fall the aphids have been a pest and some of the smaller plants succumb.
Re: Aphids
Wow. I never had that happen. Sorry to hear it.
I did find this--Biorational Pesticides Strains of the fungus Beauveria bassiana provide good control of aphids, including green peach aphids. The fungus works by attaching to the outside of the pest, then penetrating into the body and killing it. The fungus is available commercially for greenhouse ornamentals and for vegetables.
Re: Aphids
Wow. I never had that happen. Sorry to hear it.
I did find this--Biorational Pesticides Strains of the fungus Beauveria bassiana provide good control of aphids, including green peach aphids. The fungus works by attaching to the outside of the pest, then penetrating into the body and killing it. The fungus is available commercially for greenhouse ornamentals and for vegetables.
Thanks, a good idea but I don't know if this fungus is available in Norway but I'll look for it.
Aphids are tiny, and often
Aphids are tiny, and often nearly invisible to the naked eye. It may transmit viruses between plants, and also attract other insects that prey on them, such as ladybugs. So, you can try to spray cold water on the leaves, you can also use neem oil, insecticidal soaps, that are effective against aphids. You can also take some help from pest control companies who will know how to evaluate your aphid problem, and will know precisely how best to handle it for you.
Ho
Have you ever tried a systemic insecticide? I have used them many times on soft tender cacti seedlings to control mealy bugs I have never experienced damage. I guess that is all I can recommend.