Things You'll Need:
- Spray Bottles
- Coreopsis Plants
- Dill Seeds
- Garden Hoses
- Horticultural Oils
- Ladybugs
- Pesticides
- Spring-flowering Bulbs
- Fennel Seeds
- Insecticidal Soaps
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Step 1
Look for aphids on the undersides of leaves and on tender new growth. You will notice a yellowing of the leaves on new growth, most often in the spring or early summer months. Aphids are usually found in large colonies, called infestations.
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Step 2
Spray a strong jet of water directly onto the affected area of the plant. The stream will wash the insects off. This is the easiest way to control aphids.
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Step 3
Spray with a soap/oil mixture if the water alone doesn't do the job. Mix 1 tsp. insecticidal soap with 1/2 tsp. horticultural oil in 1 quart water in a spray bottle. There are also numerous chemical sprays available.
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Step 4
Try ladybugs for serious aphid infestations. Place a newly purchased bag of ladybugs in the vegetable crisper of your refrigerator while you go outside and water your garden. Release them during the evening hours to protect them from hungry birds.
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Step 5
Attract other types of predatory insects that will consume and control aphids by planting dill, fennel, coreopsis and brightly colored flowers near the aphid-prone plants.
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Step 6
As a preventive measure, spray during the dormant season (winter) to head off severe recurring infestations - aphid eggs overwinter on woody stems. Use a dormant-season oil spray.










Comments
abigail said
on 5/17/2007 Certain flowers - Bee Balm being one of them that is also very pretty - also attract Hummingbirds. Adding the right flowers can also help in this battle.
Personally, the homemade soap & oil mixture has always worked great for me. Good luck!