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Aphids - safe control

ChrisWMChrisWM Posts: 214
in Problem solving
On checking my Dalhlias this morning, I found them covered with aphids. I ran my fingers up the stems to squash them, but there were tricky areas that wasn’t suitable for. 

I’ve been reading up on it, and one site said that soapy water also kills off ladybirds. Is this so?

If true, my only option I guess is to keep squashing them. I’ve even considered getting ladybirds off Amazon (the RSPB also sell them) but logically, they’re just as likely to fly off!
If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need. Cicero

Posts

  • BobFlannigonBobFlannigon Posts: 619
    If you have a nozzle on your hose pipe you should be able to get a jet of water that forces them off but doesn't damage the plant.  The combination of this and 'squashy fingers' should work.
  • ChrisWMChrisWM Posts: 214
    Cheers. Non- toxic as well!
    If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need. Cicero
  • NewBoy2NewBoy2 Posts: 1,813
    Get a sprayer from the shops and fill it with water and "pressure hose " them off.
    Its also good to have a song to sing at the  same time to increase the pleasure.
    Everyone is just trying to be Happy.....So lets help Them.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    "Gonna wash them bugs right out of my dahlia... " for example?

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Kitty 2Kitty 2 Posts: 5,150
    Yes, if there's just a few they get finger squished. Masses of them get hose blasted off.  If the stems are delicate and at risk of snapping, I hold it against my hand as I rinse off the little blighters.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I find a water filled hand-sprayer with just a few drops of washing up liquid added and sprayed on first causes the aphids to loose their grip.
    Followed with a strong blast from the hose (mine has a setting for a fine mist, but at good pressure) generally shifts most of them

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
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