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Aphid control

Swooping SwallowSwooping Swallow Posts: 24
in Problem solving
Can anyone recommend organic methods of aphid control? A good number of plants in my garden are quite badly infested with aphids, which I've tried to control by wiping with my hand and spraying with water, but within a couple of days the aphids are back.

I've heard that spraying with a mild soapy solution of e.g., washing up liquid, can work. Has anyone tried this or any other treatment?

Many thanks
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Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited June 2021
    I squirt bad aphid infestations with a jet of water from the hose … if I need to do it several times so be it … nothing in nature is permanent … except extinction. 

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





  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    You've just got to keep doing it. If you obliterate an insect, what feeds on it dies too.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • IlikeplantsIlikeplants Posts: 894
    put those thin gloves on and start rubbing all those aphids off.

    I did try to relocate a ladybird larva today from one plant to aphid city. I’ll check in on him tomorrow. It might be too much for one to take on.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    He might get awful fat!

    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • SolomonicSolomonic Posts: 6
    I use a fine paintbrush dipped in a strong sugar solution to pick off the aphids. Dip and sweep the brush over the buggers and dip again. As has been said before it is not permanent but usually when plants are big and strong enough they can shake off of tolerate aphids. 
  • nick615nick615 Posts: 1,487
    Boil rhubarb leaves.  Strain off the liquid.  Fill a household spray and spray the aphids.  Possibly make more than you need, because aphids persist longer than rhubarb.  100% organic but the leaves are poisonous to humans so, if any of your plants are for eating, a washing down with clean water afterwards may be a precaution.  However, the usual victims like broad beans and peas are protected by their pods which you'll discard before eating.  We've never suffered bad effects though.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited June 2021
    I know there’s a lot of enthusiasm in some quarters for the efficacy of rhubarb leaf spray as a natural pesticide spray to deal with aphid infestation.

    Try as I might I have not yet been able to find anything online about whether, as with other pesticides, it is also harmful to ladybirds, lacewings and hoverflies if they are sprayed with it or if they ingest it when eating aphids that have been sprayed. 

    Does anyone have any information on this please?

    I would add that everything I’ve read says that it should not be used on edibles as the oxalic acid is absorbed by the plant. 


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





  • HelenDrrL1HelenDrrL1 Posts: 20
    Have the same issue, I end up cut the infected part, and inspect weekly.
  • nick615nick615 Posts: 1,487
    Thanks for the link, Dove.  I personally seek to never create an 'eleventh commandment' in anything garden oriented, and am certainly not suggesting you are.  However, with both plant AND HUMAN healthcare, there are many 'Granny's Treatments' that would have once gone unchallenged, but now get the alarmists going.  I note the site quoted is 'nurseries' oriented, which will have to recognise that one stray comment to the press could overnight reduce a member's sales.  We individuals can do as we think fit, and can make our own decisions.  I'd use the rhubarb spray, but don't insist others should do so also.
  • StephenSouthwestStephenSouthwest Posts: 635
    edited June 2021
    I quite enjoy hosing them off with a hand pumped water spray jet, though I do worry I might also hose off ladybird larvae...
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